Reports received of Marine Creatures sighted, stranded or landed during 2002
A list compiled by Raymond Dennis
 

1/1/02 8 dead Triggerfish were found on Porthtowan beach SW690482
2/1/02 15 dead Triggerfish were found on Perranporth beach SW756544
2/1/02 A young 3ft long Grey Seal was seen at Godrevy Point SW581433 at 1630. It had a 4cm dia. White disc at the back of its forehead, not a 3D hat, but flat without any distinguishing or identity marks on the tag. The Seal Sanctuary says it is not one of theirs
4/1/02 The carcass of a Pygmy Sperm Whale was found on Thurlstone Beach South Hams SX674414 Devon. It is believed to be only the third of this species for the U.K. records.
4/1/02 2 dead Triggerfish were found on Portreath beach SW654454
4/1/02 The carcass of a 4ft cetacean was found and then buried at Mevagissey Bay SX018468
4/1/02 A 5 metre decomposing Pilot whale was found on Towan beach on the Roseland peninsula SW870328
5/1/02 A 7'6" Common dolphin carcass was found at Kennack Sands SW740167
5/1/02 A pod of at least 3 Bottlenose Dolphin was at Sennen Cove during the afternoon, including one with a flat dorsal, probably Benty.
6/1/02 A Grey Seal was seen at Chynance Cove SW676132 between 2p.m. and 4p.m. and two other Grey seals were at Halzephron beach SW655217 at 4.15p.m.
6/1/02 2 Harbour Porpoises were ¼ mile south east of Hella Point SW370214 at 1220 hrs
7/1/02 A pod of 5 to 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were in Sennen Bay SW3526 at noon. The pod included Benty.
7/1/02 Another dolphin carcass is found at the west end of Kennack Sands SW740167. This one had a blunt head, a tall dorsal and was whitish in colour, so almost certainly a Risso's Dolphin. Since confirmed as Risso's.
7/1/02 A large pod of about 40 dolphins were off Cadgwith SW722142. The pod which included  8 youngsters were described as just playing. Another fisherman considered that there were as many as 200 dolphins in the area. The species was not identified, but probably Common Dolphin.
8/1/02 Two pods of Common Dolphins were seen in position 49º 57'N.  05º 54'W at 1300. There were 12 in each pod and they were heading west.
8/1/02 Two dead Triggerfish were found on Porth Kidney beach SW5438 St.Ives Bay.
9/1/02 Two dead Harbour Porpoises were found, both in St. Austell Bay, one on Crinnis Beach SX058521 and the other on DuporthSX0351 Both were recovered and delivered to the vets lab at Truro.
9/1/02 A small pod of 2 or 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were at Sennen Cove SW3526 near the lifeboat slip at 1530 but moved out into the bay and joined surfers getting into quite shallow water at times. Benty was thought to be one of the dolphins.
10/1/02 During the morning the bay off Cadgwith SW722142 was full of dolphins (probably Commons). There seemed to be two main pods, one of 50 to 70 and the other about 30. They headed toward The Lizard SW694115 in the morning but were seen heading east about 2 miles off Cadgwith in the afternoon.
10/1/02 Two pods of 3 Common Dolphin were seen heading southeast in position 49º58.03N 05º07.01W at 1100 hrs and a further six were seen about a nautical away.
10/1/02 A pod of about 26 Common Dolphin were seen in position 50º08.01N  04º51.03W at 1500hrs. They were in two equal size pods heading southwest. Moving rather than feeding.
11/1/02 A pod of about 10 Common Dolphins including 2 juveniles were 200 to 300 metres off the Minack Theatre SW387220 from 1230 to 1300 hrs.
11/1/02 There was a pod of 70 to 100 dolphin in the bay off Cadgwith SW722142 during the morning. These were probably Common Dolphin.
11/1/02 Two Harbour Porpoises were off Nanquidno SW357294 at 1600hrs
12/1/02 A small cetacean, Harbour Porpoise or dolphin was seen from the St. Ives Island Watch  SW521411
13/1/02 A dead Harbour Porpoise was found at Vase Beach Trenarren,  Mevagissy Bay SX003482 and another at Lowland Point SW800194. Both were taken to the VLA at Polwhele for post mortem.
13/1/02 A dead Triggerfish was found at the penhale end of Perranporth beach SW763575. It was about 20cm long. Interestingly, although we have live records of Triggerfish on the south Cornish Coast we seem never to have had and dead ones cast up.
15/1/02 5 Grey Seals were bottling, diving, feeding and possibly playing close to the rocks at Onjohn Cove SW874760 at the western end of Harlyn Bay from 1500hrs to 1600hrs. Another two were observed in the vicinity of Newtrain Bay Trevone SW884759 at 1630hrs.
18/1/02 A Common Dolphin carcass was found at Whitsand Bay SX408514 East Cornwall.
19/1/02 A dead Harbour Porpoise was found at Praa Sands SW5728 and an unidentified dolphin carcass at Great Lantic Beach SX147508
19/1/02 A Harbour Porpoise appeared to be feeding 300metres off Coryton Cove, Dawlish South Devon, SX9777 at 1400hrs
27/1/02 A part carcass of a small cetacean, thought to be a Harbour Porpoise, was found on the high water line at Par Beach, SX0853. It appeared to be severed fairly cleanly from behind the dorsal to the tail fin.
28/1/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen from Pendeen Watch SW377358 between 0830 and 1100 when also seen were 6 Balearic and 8 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Little Auks and a Great Skua.
30/1/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen ½ mile south east of the Gwennap Head Lookout SW365217
2/2/02 4 harbour Porpoises were seen off Pendeen SW377358
3/2/02 5 Grey Seal were watched from 1430 to 1530 at Cataclewes Point, Onjohn Cove, Harlyn Bay SW873759
4/2/02 Three more cetacean carcasses were reported today at Great Lantic Beach , Lantic Bay SX147508. They were a Pilot Whale and 2 Harbour Porpoises bringing the total of west country cetacean strandings this year to 45
4/2/02 A Scillonian fisherman has reported trawling up large numbers of Root Mouth Jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus in recent days, measuring up to 1 metre across.
4/2/02 A headless, month old, Grey Seal pup carcass was found at Godrevy SW581433 and another young Grey Seal carcass was found at Crinnis Beach SX0552 St. Austell Bay  and a headless Harbour Porpoise on the same beach.
6/2/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen 1 mile North West of the lookout at St Ives Island SW521411 at 1230 hrs.
6/2/02 A young cetacean carcass was found at Kynance SW685132 with a very damaged beak.It was later identified a a Striped Dolphin. Cetacean remains were also found at Readymoney Cove SX119511; its head, tail and fins were missing.
7/2/02 A cetacean carcass, thought to be a Harbour Porpoise, was found at Summers Beach St.Mawes SW849331
10/2/02 A 15'6" Pilot Whale Carcass was found near Black Rock in Widemouth Bay SS196017, with a Gannet Carcass near by. Two other small headless carcasses were found on Castle  Beach, Falmouth SW820320. The heads seemed to have been cut off, but they were thought to have been Harbour Porpoises. A dead Grey Seal was also found at Gunwalloe SW656226
10/2/02 16 Grey Seals were watched feeding and playing in the Harlyn Bay area from 1330 to 1500. 9 were in Harlyn Bay and 7 were off the northern face of Carclew Point. Some of those in Harlyn Bay were quite close to surfers.
14/2/02 A dolphin carcass was found on Great Porth Beach, Bryher. I.o.S. SV8714 in the last couple of days.
15/2/02 3 Harbour Porpoises were seen off Carn Gloose SW353313 between 1400 and 1500.
15/2/02 8 Grey Seals were watched feeding and playing  for over an hour in the Harlyn Bay Area SW872758. 4 were in harlyn bay, 3 off the northern face of Carclews Point and the other in mother Ivy's Bay from 1330 to 1500
16/2/02 A harbour Porpoise was off Carn Gloose SW353313 from 1415 to 1515hrs
16/2/02 The carcass of a fairly fresh female Common Dolphin was found at Marazion SW512310 early this morning and was taken to V.L.A.Polwhele. A dead 6ft Grey Seal was also found later in the day at Carlyon Beach St. Austell SX064524
17/2/02 4 Harbour Porpoises were off Carn Gloose SW353313 between 1230 and 1330hrs
17/2/02 An adult Grey Seal was seen resting on a beach between Killigerran Head and Greeb Point SW870325 at noon. There appeared to be a line between neck and body but no sign of rope or net so this was probably a line in the fur.
18/2/02 150 Dolphins became stranded on a beach at Côtes-D'Armor France. 90 were put back into the water and saved but 60 died.
19/2/02 A large dead Grey Seal was found on Harlyn Beach  SW9376 and was removed by council workers.
22/2/02 A pod of at least 3 dolphins were feeding close inshore off St Ives Island SW521411 for three hours. These were probably Bottlenose dolphins.
2/3/02 A cetacean carcass was found on Carlyon Bay Beach SX058523. This is the 60th Cornish cetacean stranding this year. It was without head or dorsal fin and the tail was damaged. Thought not to be a Harbour Porpoise or a Common Dolphin, so photographs were taken for later identification.
3/3/02 Beachcombers were delighted to find on Porthcothan Beach SW8572 a rare Mary's Bean, Merremia discoidesperma  or Crucifixion Bean, so called because of the indented cross on one side. The other side is distinctly marked with a pale oval or C-like hilum as if branded. They come from tropical Central America and the West Indies.  The plant is not a coastal plant but is found inland and the beans are thought to have fallen into rivers and washed into the sea to be transported across the Atlantic by the Gulf Stream. These beans are very rare indeed and especially prized and sometimes decorated by silver bands.
3/3/02 A pod of at least 35 dolphins were seen moving west, 3 miles south of Lizard Point, probably feeding with many gulls overhead. Viewed for about 15minutes at 1300hrs They were probably Common Dolphin.
3/3/02 There were 8 Harbour Porpoises off Carn Gloose SW353313 from 1145 to 1315
4/3/02 There were 8 Harbour Porpoises off Pendeen SW377358 in three groups, 3, 3, and 2 including one baby from 1500 to 1600.
4/3/02 3 Harbour Porpoises were seen off Giant's Castle, St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
SV925100
9/3/02  A Harbour Porpoise was seen off Porthgwarra SW371216
11/3/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen surfacing every few minutes about 200M east of The Mouls Island SW938815
11/3/02 A small school of dolphins were observed entering St.Ives Bay SW5241 this morning.
13/3/02 A Grey Seal was seen close inshore at Rame Head SX419481. A Peregrine and 4 Wheatears were in the area.
14/3/02 There were at least 4 Harbour Porpoises behind The Cowloe, Sennen SW348266 from 1330 to 1430. One was a brownish pale animal similar to one seen off Porthgwarra at times.
14/3/02 A dead Harbour Porpoise was found at the Hendra end of Praa Sands SW5728 early this morning.
17/3/02 Two Harbour Porpoises were seen by The Cowloe, Sennen SW348266 at 1430.
18/3/02 A badly injured dead dolphin was found at Praa Sands SW5728 today, also a dead Gannet
20/3/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen behind The Cowloe, Sennen SW348266 at 1630.
21/3/02 A pod of 4 Bottlenose Dolphins were in Fowey Harbour during the morning. They were first seen at 0700hrs.
22/3/02 A pod of between 5 and 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were spotted 200M off the mouth of Newlyn Harbour SW467286 at 1015 hrs.  Moving North West they were between Battery Rock SW478296 and the Gear Pole SW479294 at 1030 and continued heading toward Marazion SW5130.
22/3/02 A pod of Bottlenose dolphins were watched being quite active off Longrock SW498308 at noon. Benty was one of the pod.
22/3/02 The pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were back in the Newlyn area again at 1620.
22/3/02 20 to 30 Grey Seals were lying on the beach at Fishermans Cove SW596429 at 1400. There were small pale ones, larger brown seals and large black bulls. They appeared to be asleep but all at once they made toward the sea, but only a few entered the water the others went back to sleep on the beach
23/3/02 2 dolphins were seen heading south off Dolor Point, Coverack  SW786182
23/3/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were off Chyandour Penzance SW479310 during the late morning.
25/3/02 4 harbour Porpoises were seen SSW of The Brisons SW345307. They were heading SW at 1045.
25/3/02 2 Dolphins were seen heading East ½mile off The Lizard SW694115 at 1200.
25/3/02 There was a pod of 7 or 8 Bottlenose Dolphins in Fistral Bay SW797620 from 1500 to 1700, one with bent over dorsal (Benty) and another with criss- cross scars on its left side below dorsal fin. They were playing with surfers and herding fish splitting into 2 groups and driving fish toward the shore and coming back together. One could hear them communicating underwater with a high pitch chattering sound, eventually they headed SW.
26/3/02 A 5metre Basking Shark was seen in position 50º 09'N 04º 14'W at 1655
27/3/02 Two Harbour Porpoises were seen heading westward in position 50º04'01N  05º43'06W at 1515. Moderate sea. Tide Ebbing.
28/3/02 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Queener Point near Rame SX415489 from 0830 to 0900. They were heading east toward Plymouth.
28/3/02 A pod of about 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were actively seeking out boats to bow ride between St Anthony Head SW846311 and Pendennis SW826315 at 1600 hrs. They joined 3 different boats within 20 minutes.
30/3/02 Many Grey Mullet were caught by Seine Net at Sennen Cove SW348266 today
30/3/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were in Plymouth Sound SX4651 with a yacht race at 1500hrs, making contact with several rudders, seemingly on purpose, slowing boats down, the observer said "Not ours, we won, Dolphins and a win on one day, doesn't come better than that. Slight sea and swell. Wind 10 to 15 knots.
30/3/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen ½ mile west of the Gwennap Head Lookout at 1630.
30/3/02 A pod of  4 or 5 Adult and 2 Juvenile Bottlenose Dolphins were seen feeding off Picklecombe Point in Cawsand Bay SX455515 at 1900.
30/3/02 A pod of 6 Risso's Dolphins was seen from Scillonian III when more than half way to the Islands.
31/3/02 Two or Three Harbour Porpoises were breaking surface all day near The Tribens and Gamper Bay Sennen SW3425
1/4/02 A large pod of maybe 20 dolphins were seen rounding the Cribban, Newquay  SW797631 into Newquay Bay passing close to surfers but not stopping to play , heading quickly north up the coast.
3/4/02 A 7metre Basking Shark was seen in position 50º 01' 91N  05º 02' 16W at 1454
4/4/02 8 Harbour Porpoises were seen feeding ½ mile off Downderry SX315538 during the morning. 26 Great Northern Divers were counted in the area.
4/4/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were in the Helford river SW763269 making contact with a sail boat.
4/4/02 A 20ft Basking Shark, the first reported sighting for 2002, was seen off Coverack in  position 50º 01'N  05º 02'W at 1415. Reported from the same sail boat were 4 Grey Seals off Gull Rock near Veryan SW927368 and 10 Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish and 50 to 70 Guillemots on Gull Rock.
4/4/02 Two dolphins were seen off Cadgwith SW722142 in the morning. The sea temperature was 11º C
5/4/02 70 or more Grey Seals including about 20 young, were hauled out on the beach at Godrevy Point SW584433 at 1100hrs.
5/4/02 A pod of 4 or 5 Bottlenose Dolphins were reported in Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 0730. They moved away toward Marazion
5/4/02 Benty's  pod of Bottlenose dolphins were reported off the west side of  St. Michael's Mount SW515301 at 1030.
7/4/02 A large pod of at least 150 Common Dolphin covering an area of over an acre of sea were leaping around a boat 3 miles off Lamorna SW451241, also in the area was a Basking Shark.
8/4/02 A Grey Seal was seen off St. Ives Island SW521411
9/4/02 A Grey Seal was seen off Porthgwarra SW371216
9/4/02 A pod of about 6 Harbour Porpoises were off Porthgwarra SW371216
10/4/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Cadgwith SW722142. It was 3 metres long and within 30 metres of the coast.
13/4/02 A small Minke Whale surfaced 3 times off Rospletha Head SW384217 at 1645 and two Harbour Porpoises were seen near the Runnelstone SW369200.
13/4/02 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Baggy Point SS419406 during the day. Benty was thought to be one of the dolphins
14/4/02 The pod of Bottlenose dolphins seen yesterday were still in the area of Baggy Point SS419406.
16/4/02 A pod of 5 or 6 Bottlenose Dolphins cruised across Woolacombe Bay SS450420 at 1000hrs in a porpoise like manner until reaching Putsborough SS4441 then jumping, leaping and splashing with seabirds over and active sea in front indicating a shoal of fish.
16/4/02 4 dolphins visited Charlestown SX039515 during the day.
16/4/02 Bentys pod of Bottlenose dolphins were so close inshore between Hayle SW549391 and Gwithian SW579411 in the afternoon that there were fears that they would become stranded. BDMLR members turned up but the dolphins by then were on their way to St.Ives.
16/4/02 The carcass of a Basking Shark in an advanced state of decay was found at Pentreath Cove SW693127
16/4/02 There were between 200 and 500 Common Dolphin breeching between Deep Point, St. Mary's I.o.S. SV940110 and the Eastern Isles early in the morning.
17/4/02 A dead Harbour porpoise turned up at Charlestown SX039515 bringing the total of cetaceans on Cornish beaches so far this year to 124, more than one a day.
17/4/02 Benty's pod of 7 or 8 Bottlenose dolphins were off St. Michael's Mount SW515301at 1800. A boat from the Mount was out with a photographer.
17/4/02 A pod of 6 or 7 dolphins were seen near The Bridges, Plymouth Sound SX461521
19/4/02 12 dolphins were spotted off rame Head SX419481 heading southwest  in calm seas.
21/4/02 5 large Rootmouth Jellyfish  Rhizostoma octopus were seen in Falmouth Bay and 2 more at the mouth of the Helford River.
22/4/02 A 22ft Basking Shark was seen about 3 miles off Mullion SW666178 and about 100 Harbour Porpoises in 5 groups were in the same area.
23/4/02 A few dozen of the large jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus were reported to be around the yacht 'Captain's Lady' in Falmouth Bay.
23/4/02 There are now 3 specimens of the Slipper Lobster Scyllarus arctus  in the Blue Reef Aquarium in Newquay. The latest addition is an egg bearing female.
24/4/02 6 Bottlenose Dolphins of various sizes including one juvenile was seen close inshore at Penlee Point (Near Cawsand) SX442487.  Heading east round headland toward Cawsand Bay at midday.
24/4/02 6 Bottlenose Dolphins thought to be the same pod seen earlier off Penlee Point were seen off Downderry SX315538 at 1930 feeding with gulls in attendance and moving slowly toward Looe.
25/4/02 A pod of 7 or 8 dolphins were seen at Bolt Head SX725359 travelling fast toward the east in calm seas.
25/4/02 A pod of about 20 Common dolphins were seen off St. Mary's Isles of Scilly.
25/4/02 At least 6 of the large Rootmouth Jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus  were seen from a small boat travelling between Mousehole and Newlyn in the afternoon.
25/4/02 Two Lion's Mane jellyfish, Cyanea capillata were seen in Falmouth Bay SW8029. They were a metre across which is about twice the diameter if those normally found locally. They can reach 2metres in Arctic Seas, so is this a sign of Global cooling?
26/4/02 Half a dozen dolphins moved northwards across Whitesand Bay SW3527 at 1830hrs. These were later reported to be Common Dolphins.
26/4/02 A large Rootmouth Jellyfish  Rhizostoma octopus was seen 200 metres upstream of Bodinnick  Ferry in the Fowey Estuary SX129525.
26/4/02 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Portwrinkle SX356538 at 1730hrs feeding below gulls and heading eastward toward Rame Head SX419481
29/4/02 2 Risso's Dolphins were seen from Scillonian III off Deep Point I.o.S.  SV933112
29/4/02 Dead Gannets were found at Watergate Bay SW8464 and Mawgan Porth SW8467. Both were in perfect condition with no oil contamination so what is killing these birds.
29/4/02 A pod of about 6 Bottlenose Dolphin moved eastward close inshore at Downderry SX315538 at 2000 hrs.
29/4/02 After the gales of the 28th there were thousands of birds crossing St. Ives Bay SW5241, Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, and Kittiwakes were passing the St. Ives Island Lookout at about 10000 per hour for 4 hours.
29/4/02 A Minke Whale was seen off Land's End.
30/4/02 An 18cm  Tadpole Fish Raniceps raninus was found washed up at Mawgan Porth
SW8467
1/5/02 A 2ft Ocean Sunfish Mola mola was seen ½ mile south of August Rock SW795270 at 1730 hrs.
2/5/02 A 5 Metre Pilot Whale Globicephala melas was spotted 4 miles Sw of Lizard Point SW694115 at 1105. It was moving SW in slight sea, sunny conditions with a NW 1-2 wind
3/5/02 A Basking Shark was seen at 2030 about 150 yards off Porthkerris Beach SW806226. It was 6 to 7ft from dorsal to tail fin making it about a 12 to 13ft Shark.
3/5/02 A very decomposed basking Shark was found between Booby's bay SW8575 and Constantine Bay SW8574
3/5/02 A very decomposed Pilot Whale was found floating off Lusty Glaze SW822624. It is uncertain if it beached and been removed or floated out to sea because the beach is private.
4/5/02 A Basking Shark was in Housel Bay SW708119 near The Lizard during the day.
4/5/02 Two 16ft Basking Sharks were right in the cove at Cadgwith SW722142 during the morning.
4/5/02 A pod of 6 dolphins, thought to be Bottlenose, were to the east of Drake's island in Plymouth Sound SX474530 at 1400hrs. They were playing although being followed by two jet skiers.
4/5/02  4 Grey Seals were seen at Porth Joke SW770606
5/5/02 A pod of 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Porthleven SW6225 from 1230 to 1400.Benty was present and one other dolphin had a scar toward its tail. The dolphins seemed to take great interest in surfers who all sat very still on their boards and one swam right under one of the surfers.
5/5/02 A Grey Seal was seen surfacing occasionally to the east of pencarrow head in Lantivet Bay SX 155507, and two large jellyfish, probably Rhizostoma octopus, were  seen on either side of Polruan Quay SX 125510
5/5/02 There were a lot of Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish at Church Cove SW715127 on the Lizard today.
6/5/02 4 Killer Whales were seen 6 miles south of the Isles of Scilly.
6/5/02 A small Ocean Sunfish Mola mola was seen just east of Godrevy SW580433 with 2 adult gulls nearby.
6/5/02 4 or 5 dolphins were seen swimming westward from the eastern end of Praa Sands Beach SW5728 at 1030.  These were probably Bottlenose.
6/5/02 3 Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus were seen off St. Ives SW5241
6/5/02 A Basking Shark was seen for 20 mins from 1220hrs in position 50º05.976N 05º00.669W. there was a light mark at top left side of dorsal.
7/5/02 Benty's  pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen heading southeast off Marazion SW5131 at 0845hrs.
7/5/02 A large Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish 50cm across the bell with a purple rim was stranded at Devil's Point SX459533 (Western Kings) on the Plymouth foreshore.
7/5/02 A pod of 4 or 5 dolphins were spotted from Scillonian III just off Penzance SW475285 at 2000hrs.
7/5/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were leaping between Mousehole SW470263 and
St Clements Island during the evening.
7/5/02 A pod of Bottlenose dolphins was seen off Lamorna SW451241 during the day
8/5/02 2 Killer Whales were seen off the Isles of Scilly .
8/5/02 A pod of 14 to 16 Common Dolphin with 2 or 3 one metre juveniles were seen in position 50º07.9N   04º53.2W at 1130hrs. The sea was  flat calm and the pod was playful and inquisitive, bow riding the RIB for 10 mins. When the RIB stopped they waited for it to start again to continue bow riding. Then they moved to the Patrol Vessel to behave in a similar manner.
8/5/02 8 young seals were seen hauled out on the beach at Mutton Cove SW583433 and one of them had an oval tag marked 078 attached to it's right rear flipper.
8/5/02 A large Leatherback Turtle was within 50metres of shore just off Fowey Quay SX125511at 1750. There were examples of it's prey, Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish near by. Several of these jellyfish have been seen in the area in the last few days.
8/5/02 Benty's pod of 7 or 8 Bottlenose dolphins were in the Camel Estuary SW9278 today
8/5/02 Two 15ft Basking Sharks were reported off Polruan SX125510 and many Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish have been reported up river at least as far as Bodinnick
8/5/02 Two dead Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish were found on the beach at Porthtowan SX690482
8/5/02 A 1.5m Grey Seal appeared to be fishing around a rock outcrop just off Cape Cornwall SW349318 at 1500hrs.
9/5/02 A 5 to 6ft Tuna was seen to jump 4 or 5 time, seemed to be almost tail walking on the water, about 1 mile off Polpeor Cove The Lizard SW699115
9/5/02 A 5Metre Basking Shark was 1 mile SW of Land's End at 0945 moving westerly.
9/5/02 2 dead Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish were found on the east side of Kennack SW7316 and a large number were seen were seen off the Lizard SWSW694115. Basking Sharks have also been seen off the east coast of The Lizard.
9/5/02 Benty's  pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were travelling southwest in Perranporth Bay SW7554 at 1400hrs, pausing briefly to play around the Surf Life Saving Boat.
10/5/02 A Basking Shark was moving slowly all day in Gamper Bay SW345255
10/5/02 A Basking Shark was seen in Gamper Bay SW345255 between Sennen and Land's End.
11/5/02 Two Basking Sharks were in the cove near The Cowloe at Sennen SW348266 all day
11/5/02 3 Basking Sharks were off Pendeen Lighthouse SW377358 for 2 hours  at about 1500hrs
12/5/02 A Basking Shark and a Grey Seal were seen at Cape Cornwall SW349318 today.
12/5/02 A large Basking Shark was seen close to the Minack Cliff Theatre SWSw387220
13/5/02 4 dolphins were seen in Sennen Bay SW3526
14/5/02 large numbers of the Rootmouth Jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus have been seen around the Isles of Scilly recently and a dead one was found in St. Mary's Harbour.
 14/5/02 A dolphin was seen moving west just outside Penzance Harbour SW476303 at 2015hrs.
14/5/02 A 20 to 25ft Basking Shark was hauled up entangled in a net which had been bottom set in position 50º03.02N;  03º51.19W. The fishermen cut the shark free and it swam away.
15/5/02 There were 20 or more Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus about a mile out in Lantic Bay SX1450 at 1130hrs.
16/5/02 A lone dolphin was in the entrance to Polruan harbour SX122508 in the late afternoon.
17/5/02 Benty's pod of  8 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Penarrow Point in the Fal Estuary SW826349.
17/5/02 3 Bottlenose Dolphins have been seen over the past 10 days off Castle Beach, Falmouth SW815318 and out in the Bay.
18/5/02 Benty's pod of 8 Bottlenose Dolphins were off Mylor SW8235
20/5/02 5 or 6 dolphins, probably Bottlenose, were off Perranporth SW756544 at 1330hrs.
21/5/02 2 dolphins were seen moving east across St. Ives Bay from the St. Ives Island Coastwatch Hut.SW521411.
21/5/02 It is reported today that a 4½ft albino Tope Galeorhinus galeus  was landed at Newlyn Market recently. It sold for £5-10 per kilo as opposed to the usual 70p per kilo. Caught by John Turtle , F.V. Ben Loyal about 80 miles W.N.W. of Longships it is pure white, there is no pigment not even in the eyes. It was bought by  Dale Payne of Marisco Fish of Long Rock. Dale says he will have it stuffed for display in his shop.
22/5/02 A Grey Seal appeared to be asleep with head facing to sky 20 yards off  Hor Point SW498413 at 1430 hrs.
23/5/02 A Grey Seal was diving and resurfacing frequently close to shore at Pendower Coves SW360230 at 1100hrs.
23/5/02 A Grey Seal was diving and resurfacing frequently close to shore watching people on shore at Porth Chapel SW382218 at 1330hrs.
23/5/02 A heavily oiled dead Gannet and a Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus were found on Watergate beach SW8464 today.
24/5/02 A single dolphin was heading west off Hot Point SW717123 near The Lizard at 1130 hrs. It broke surface 3 times jumping clear on the third.
26/5/02 A basaking Shark was off Pendeen Watch SW377358 during the evening
27/5/02 Milloins of Vellela vellela  By-the-Wind-Sailors,  were found washed up on Porthcothan Beach SW8572. They were freshly dead having fragments of soft tissue still present. There was also a dead 26" diameter Rhizostoma octopus on the beach.
29/5/02 A  pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins have been seen in St Ives area from the Coastwatch Hut SW521411 throughout the week.
29/5/02 Ten large jellyfish ,( Probably Rootmouth, Rhizostoma octopus) were seen off Bass Point SW716118 about midday. Swimming in a group they were about the size of a large Pumpkin with a bunch of carrot-like tentacles Orange in colour but lighter toward the top
30/5/02 2 basking Sharks were seen about ½ mile off Tintagel SX047890
30/5/02 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins including 2 juveniles were seen off Hayle SW9379
31/5/02 Harbour Porpoises were breaking surface all day in the tide race north of the Longships Lighthouse SW320253
31/5/02 2 Risso's Dolphins travelled west past Gwennap Head SW367215 about a mile out at 1245
31/5/02 A harbour Porpoise was seen 1 mile SW of Gwennap Head SW367215 at 1515
31/5/02 There were a number of Rootmouth Jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus among the swimmers at Gyllyngvase Beach SW808316
31/5/02 6 dolphins were seen heading eastward ignoring boats on the area between St Agnes Head SW699517 and Newdown Head  from 1130 to 1230. Described as darker above than underneath with no apparent mottling on the side, these were probably Bottlenose.
1/6/02 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins including 2 juveniles were seen in Sennen Bay SW3526
1/6/02 A Newlyn based fisherman landed a rare albino Spider Crab recently. It was caught off Lamorna Cove SW451241 and is now in the Blue Reef Aquarium at Newquay The marine experts there consider it to be a full grown male 10 to 15 years old.
1/6/02 A Basking Shark with a notch in its dorsal was seen heading west off Geevor Mine SW371350 at 1330hrs.
1/6/02 3 dolphins, one of which was thought to be Benty, were seen heading northeast in St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 1500hrs
1/6/02 A 15ft Basking Shark was between Blackhead SW779162 and Coverack at 2000. There were diving Gannets in the area.
2/6/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Morvah SW403360
2/6/02 A Sperm Whale and calf was seen off Portheras Cove SW388358 mid afternoon. There was some breaching.
2/6/02 2 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen heading east about 300M offshore off Chapel Porth SW696495 at 1330.
2/6/02 Benty's pod of about 6 Bottlenose dolphins were seen heading east off Trevaunance Cove SW721516 at 1000hrs.
3/6/02 A 3metre Basking Shark was feeding near the Raglands Reef off Porthoustock SW813218 at 1600. It continued under the boat unconcerned and damage was noticed on its snout.
4/6/02 A pod of about 12 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing in the surf at Gwynver SW362276 and fishing further out.
4/6/02 A large Basking Shark, 10 to 15ft between dorsal and tail fins, was seen ¼ mile off Lamorna Cove SW451241
4/6/02 Benty's pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphin was playing and jumping some 200 yard out at Sennen SW3526 for ½hour at midday
4/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish Mola mola was seen near the Runnelstone Ref SW369200 at about midday.
4/6/02 3 Basking Sharks were seen circling and feeding for at least 2 hours by a climber on Commando Ridge Bosigran SW416369. They were about 300yds offshore.
6/6/02 It is reported from the Coastwatch hut at St Ives SW521411 that there were up to 8 dolphins in St Ives Bay every day last week. Also seen were large numbers of Manx Shearwaters heading west in groups of 20 or more, and a Storm Petrel feeding close inshore on Tuesday 28th May
6/6/02 8 dolphins were reported by the lifeguard to be at Hayle estuary SW5431 at 1400
6/6/02 A large single Bottlenose Dolphin with a small nick in left side of dorsal was performing in Plymouth Harbour SX4854 at lunchtime. It followed a cruise boat in to the mayflower Steps and did some leaps around a buoy. This could be George from Weymouth.
6/6/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose dolphins was riding the wake of surfboarders off Mexico Towans Hayle SW555395 between 1330 and 1500 There were about 10 in the pod two of which were juveniles. Sizes ranged from 10ft to 4ft.
7/6/02 4 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen heading east about 300M offshore at Chapel Porth SW696495 at 1430
7/6/02 A pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen heading east off Godrevy Point East SW583433. Some were quite large and breaking surface.
7/6/02 The carcass of a freshly dead 4metre female Sowerby's Beaked Whale was discovered on Praa Sands Beach SW5728. A representative of the Natural History Museum drove down to Cornwall to collect samples resulting from a post mortem carried out on site. The skull and some of the skeleton will be kept in the national reference collection. There have only been three previous records of this rare mammal - one was alive and rescued, the other two were dead.
7/6/02 A very large Ocean Sunfish was seen about 2 miles off Dizzard Point SX163993
8/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish Mola mola was seen in Mounts Bay about 2 miles off Mousehole during the day.
9/6/02 A pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphins including one juvenile was in the Bay off Newquay SW8262. during the day.
10/6/02 About 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were playing in the surf at Gwynver SW362276. Photos were taken and put on the Sennen Cove Website.
11/6/02 A Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus was found stranded on Summerlease Beach Bude SS203065
11/6/02 Three dolphins, probably Bottlenose were off Greeb Point SW397362 at 2030hrs
11/6/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were very playful at Sennen Cove SW3526 at about 1000hrs
12/6/02 Benty's pod of about 10 Bottlenose dolphins were very playful at Sennen Cove SW3526
12/6/02 There were 2 possibly 3 Basking Sharks feeding slowly off Sennen Cove SW3526
12/6/02 7 Basking Sharks were off Land's End SW341252 and 3 more off Porthcurno SW387222
12/6/02 A pod of 8 to 10 dolphins were off Porthcurno SW387222 at 1330hrs, probably Benty's Pod of Bottlenose.
12/6/02 Three Basking Sharks were off the Minack Cliff Theatre SW387220 at 1335hrs. Two were large and the other smaller.
13/6/02 7 Basking Sharks were off Land's End SW341252, 2 off Porthgwarra SW371216,     2 off Porthcurno SW387222 and one off Nanquidno SW357294
13/6/02 A large Rootmouth Jellyfish was found stranded in the Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Area by a teacher with a group of children who were enthralled by aspects of its way of life and the fact that this large creature is preyed upon by the Leatherback Turtle.
13/6/02 Two Basking Sharks were seen off Cape Cornwall SW349318
13/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish Mola mola was seen off Land's End SW341252
13/6/02 4 small Ocean Sunfish were seen off Dizzard Point SW6163993 during a morning boat trip between Boscastle and Bude
14/6/02 There were 2 Basking Shark feeding slowly off Sennen Cove SW3526
14/6/02 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen from Scillonian III about ½ way to the Islands.
14/6/02 2 Basking Sharks were seen from Scillonian III about ½ way to the Islands. 3 were off Porthgwarra SW371216 and 3 off Cape Cornwall SW349318
15/6/02 There were 2 Basking Shark feeding slowly at Sennen Cove SW3526
16/6/02  2 Basking Shark were seen feeding at Sennen Cove SW3526
17/6/02 There were 12 to 15 Basking Shark feeding slowly off Sennen Cove SW3526
17/6/02 4 Basking Sharks were off Land's End SW341252
17/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Newquay SW8262
17/6/02 Basking Sharks were seen of St. Michael's Mount SW515301
17/6/02 A Basking Shark  (with a possible second) was seen off Pendeen SW383358 at 1500 hrs. There were 4 or 5 Grey Seals in the area also about a dozen Gannets.
17/6/02 An Otter was seen near mussel beds on the rocks shore of Trelissick, Nation Trust land near Feock South of King Harry Ferry SW 841316
17/6/02 There were three Basking Sharks about 300m off the Brisons Rocks SW340301 and 4 Harbour porpoises were in the area
18/6/02 6 or 7 Basking Shark were feeding slowly off Sennen Cove SW3526
18/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish Mola mola was seen off Penlee Point SW4448 between Cawsand and Rame Head, it was said to be as big as a dustbin lid and swam off on the surface when approached..
19/6/02 4 or 5 Basking Shark were seen feeding off Sennen Cove SW3526
19/6/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen feeding in Housel Cove SW708119 at 1400hrs
19/6/02 12 Basking Sharks were off Porthgwarra SW371216 and 4 more off Sennen SW3526
20/6/02 20 or more Basking Shark were feeding off Sennen Cove SW3526. There was 3 separate breaches at different times and places so could not tell if it was the same shark but they came completely clear of the water each time
20/6/02 5 dolphins were seen off Looe SX254535 heading toward Talland SX229516 between 1110 and 1220 hrs.
20/6/02 5 Basking Sharks were off Porthgwarra SW371216
20/6/02 Bathers were snorkelling with 7 or 8 Basking Sharks at Sennen SW3526 at 1800
20/6/02 A pod of about 10 dolphins were off Portwrinkle SX3553 at 0800
20/6/02 A pod of between 6 and 8 dolphins were seen between St. Georges Island and the mainland at Looe SX2551 heading towards polperro SX209509 at noon.
20/6/02 A 20ft Basking Shark was seen heading eastward off Gripps Cove Near Logan Rock SW399220 from 1330 to 1400hrs.
20/6/02 A pod of at least 6 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen heading west off Downderry SX315535 at 1000hrs.
20/6/02 There were 30 or more Basking Sharks between The Brisons SW340301 and the Longships Lighthouse SW320253 during the morning and a Sunfish in Sennen Cove in the afternoon
20/6/02 A Cuvier's Beaked Whale live stranded on Ostend beach near Happisburgh TG3931 Norfolk. A rescue attempt was made by coastguards but the whale beached and died. This was only the second record of this species for Norfolk.
20/6/02 A lone dolphin followed a vessel around Clodgy Point SW507414 and 2 Basking Sharks were seen off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411
20/6/02 A pod of 6 Bottlenose dolphins were in the entrance to Fowey harbour at 1630hrs. A Rootmouth jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus was seen in the harbour a little earlier
20/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen to jump clear of the water off the Isles of Scilly
21/6/02 A lone 3metre male Bottlenose Dolphin followed a dive boat from Salcombe SX7338 to Start Point SX830370 and became interactive with the divers not only on the surface but also to a depth of 36metres. The dolphin was sexually excited like the dolphin George from Dorset (may be the same dolphin) and it followed the boat back to Salcombe. Conditions were windy with very rough sea but water visibility was very clear.
21/6/02 It was reported today that billions of "By-the-wind-Sailors" Velella velella are off the Scottish coast in the Solway Firth and the Irish Sea.
22/6/02 20 Basking shark were feeding off Sennen Cove SW3526 There were two breaches clear of the water and two of the sharks were following each other , nose to tail for an hour or so. Also a large shark probably a Porbeagle was jumping clear out of the water.
22/6/02 A dolphin followed a  boat off Cadgwith SW722142 at 1600hrs
22/6/02 3 Ocean Sunfish Mola mola were off Porthgwarra SW371216
22/6/02 A Basking Shark was off Porthgwarra SW371216
22/6/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off St, Ives Island Lookout SW521411
22/6/02 A Basking shark was seen feeding along a plankton shoal running SW - NE at Sennen Cove SW372270 at 1100hrs.
22/6/02 There were 11 Basking Sharks off Botallack SW361338 this morning
22/6/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were in the Falmouth Harbour area from 1845 to 1930hrs
22/6/02 A large dead Grey Seal was found stranded on Sandways Beach , Kingsand SX436505
22/6/02 A pod of 4 to 6 Common Dolphins was seen at 1426hrs . A brief encounter when they came within a few feet of a yacht in position 47º47.049N  04º24.40W
23/6/02 There were 8 or 9 Basking Sharks feeding off Sennen Cove Sw3526
23/6/02 A pod of 6 dolphins passed very close, within 50M, of anglers at Porthkerris SW806226 causing them to reel in their lines at 1400hrs.
23/6/02 3 dolphins followed the Cadgwith Gig when out rowing today.
23/6/02 A small Basking Shark was seen off Cadgwith SW722142
23/6/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins was in Coverack Bay SW7818 for a short while before moving south
23/6/02 A 9 metre Basking Shark was seen off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411
23/6/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were still in the Fal Harbour area at 0830hrs but were seen leaving the estuary at about 1030
23/6/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen close inshore at Porthoustock SW807218
23/6/02 About 20 Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus were reported to be off Maenporth SW790296
24/6/02 3 Basking Sharks were at Sennen Cove SW3526 feeding close to shore.
25/6/02 A large (well over 30ft) Basking Shark was seen off Cadgwith SW722142 there were lots of Sunfish in the area and a large Tuna was seen jumping.
25/6/02 There were 12 Basking Sharks off Land's End SW341252 and one off Sennen SW3526
25/6/02 A pod of 4 or 5 dolphins were off Rock SW952757 in the Camel Estuary at noon
25/6/02 There was one Basking Shark in Sennen Bay SW3526 during the afternoon.
25/6/02 There were 12 Basking Sharks off Land's End SW341252 during the morning
25/6/02 A Dead Fox and a Dead Cormorant were found on Porthtowan Beach SW690482
25/6/02 A Stranded Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus was found on Porthcothan
Beach  SW8572
25/6/02  There were 2 or 3 Basking Sharks feeding close to shore at Sennen Cove SW3526
25/6/02  An Ocean Sunfish was seen about 1 mile off Fowey Harbour SX123514 at midday.
26/6/02  There were 2 Basking Sharks feeding close to shore at Sennen Cove SW3526
26/6/02  There was a pod of 5 or 6 dolphins in St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 1800hrs.
26/6/02 There were two pods of Bottlenose Dolphins in St. Ives Bay from 1700 to 1930 totalling about 14 animals. Benty was in one of the pods.
26/6/02 An angler came upon a group of people watching a large fish floundering in a shallow pool behind the sand bar at the back of Praa Sands Beach SW5728. Some were trying to keep it well covered with water. The unnamed fisherman picked it up and released it in deep water, a noble act considering he had had a poor day's fishing. It was thought to be a young Blue-fin Tuna and was about 3ft long.
26/6/02 A pod of 5 to 7 Bottlenose Dolphins stayed with a yacht for 5 mins. At 2038hrs. then swam off to play in position 49º55.695N  04º57.133W
27/6/02 2 Basking Sharks were feeding in Sennen Cove SW3526. They were very small with no fin showing and very pointy noses
27/6/02 2 Basking Sharks were feeding in the east bay of Kennack Sands SW740167 during the day.
27/6/02 Birders on a Pelagic Trip from the Isles of Scilly saw 20 Storm Petrels, a Sooty Shearwater an Arctic Skua  4 Ocean Sunfish and 3 Blue Shark about 8 miles south of St. Mary's.
28/6/02 2 Basking Sharks were in Sennen Cove SW3526 but only surfaced occasionally
28/6/02 There was a Basking Shark off Porthgwarra SW371216
29/6/02 There were 2 or 3 Basking Sharks feeding in Sennen Cove SW3526
29/6/02 There was a Basking Shark off Porthgwarra SW371216
29/6/02 Several 'By-the-wind-sailors' Velella velella were found in rock pool at Trebarwith Strand SS0486
29/6/02 6 Basking Sharks were seen in an area east of the Wolf Rock Lighthouse SW270120 at 1430hrs.
29/6/02 A lady visitor to the county found a dead turtle on the beach at Carbis Bay SW5238. Described as about 1ft long and pink-orange in colour it was possibly a Loggerhead.
30/6/02 A pod of 7 dolphins was seen off Coverack SW7831822 at 1530hrs. One had a nick in the dorsal fin.
30/6/02 An 18" long Loggerhead Turtle became stranded alive on the beach at Millook SS183001. It was collected by the RSPCA and taken to the Blue Reef Aquarium at Newquay  where it was found to have an injured front left flipper. It was immersed in warm water to raise its temperature to the point where it could be fed and after treatment of its injury it is expected to make a recovery so that it can be taken to the Canary Islands for release. It has been named 'Buddy'.
30/6/02 4 or 5 Basking Sharks were feeding at Sennen Cove SW3526 but only surfacing occasionally.
30/6/02 A young dolphin with a damaged fin was swimming with a bather in 3 ft of water at Tatums Beach Gerrans Bay SW8937
30/6/02 5 Aurelia aurita Jellyfish and a Cyanea lamarckii jellyfish were found washed up in the Camel Estuary SW9277
30/6/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen NE of Great Smith Rocks I.o.S SV869093 and 2 small Ocean Sunfish were NE of Porth Annet I.o.S SV862089
1/7/02 4 Rootmouth Jellyfish were found stranded on Durgan Beach SW772273 Helford River
1/7/02 A large Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus was seen off St. Ives Island lookout SW521411. It was 2 to 3ft across and brown in colour so probably a female as most males are bluish. The largest recorded in Cornish waters about a century ago was measured at 3ft diameter by marine naturalist Rupert Vallentine.
1/7/02 A Rootmouth jellyfish was seen in very shallow water in the Helford River below Trebah gardens SW768269
1/7/02 There was a Basking Shark off Porthgwarra SW371216 at 1210hrs and 2 Harbour Porpoises were seen travelling west at 1215.
2/7/02 2 Basking Sharks were off Pentreath Cove SW693127 at 1700hrs
2/7/02  A Grey Seal was seen off Mousehole SW470263 from 1410 to 1420 hrs.
3/7/02 2 dead Rootmouth Jellyfish were found stranded at Gweek in the Helford SW7026
3/7/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Land's End SW341252.
3/7/02 Quite a few dolphins were seen in the Camel Estuary near Padstow during the afternoon.
3/7/02 12 Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus were seen off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411
4/7/02 A pod of between 10 and 20 dolphins were swimming around a speedboat well off Padstow SW919754 and a Basking Shark was seen near gulland Rock SW879790
4/7/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were off Newquay SW8262 heading toward Watergate SW8464 in the afternoon.
4/7/02 A Loggerhead Turtle stranded alive at Perran Sands SW7655 and was taken to the Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay. And has been named 'Kevin'
4/7/02 A Loggerhead Turtle stranded alive at Perranporth SW7554 and was taken to the Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay, and has been named 'Perry'. 75cm (or nearly 2ft 6") long it's right front flipper is missing. Perry is the largest of the three now at the Aquarium.
4/7/02 A Loggerhead Turtle was found dead on the strandline at Watergate Bay SW86
4/7/02 A live and healthy looking Leatherback Turtle was seen 9 mile off St. Ives SW485553.
5/7/02 A Rootmouth Jellyfish was stranded on Porthtowan Beach SW6948
5/7/02 Something large leaped out of the water off St. Loy SW424230 in the late morning possibly a Basking Shark or a small whale.
5/7/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were just outside the harbour mouth off St. Michael's Mount SW515301 at 1100hrs.
5/7/02  The Loggerhead Turtle at The Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay known as Kevin is reported to have died early evening on 4th July. I weighed only •8Kg so not surprising.
5/7/02 A young male Harbour Porpoise, very scavenged, was stranded on Porthtowan Beach SW6948. Near by was a dead Conger Eel and a Rootmouth Jellyfish.
5/7/02 Three Basking Sharks were south of Porthgwarra SW371216 at 1700hrs 2 were very large the other medium sized.
6/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish, about 2½ to 3 ft across was seen between Lamorna Cove SW451241 and The Bucks Rocks SW441229 at about noon.
7/7/02 There were 2 Basking Sharks feeding at Sennen Cove SW3526 but only surfacing occasionally
7/7/02 A Rootmouth Jellyfish was seen in Newlyn Harbour during the afternoon.
7/7/02 A large (5M) very decomposed whale stranded on Gwynver Beach Whitsand Bay SW362275 was identified as a Cuviers Beaked Whale. The head was removed and is being collected for the National Collection at the Natural History Museum. S. Kensington.
7/7/02 2 Ocean Sunfish Mola mola were seen about 400m off Deep Point SV392112 on the east side of St. Mary's Isles of Scilly at 1430hrs.
7/7/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Botallack SW361338 in the afternoon.
7/7/02 A 20ft Basking Shark was seen heading North East about 2 miles off The Lizard SW694115
8/6/02 There were 3 Basking Sharks feeding at Sennen Cove SW3526. One was very big
8/7/02 10 Basking Sharks were sighted from a RAF Sea King Helicopter about 1 mile off the Camel Estuary at 1015 and reported to Falmouth Coastguard.
8/7/02 Falmouth Coastguard received a report from vessel Sue Jean that there were 30 Basking Sharks off Port Issac SW997810 at 1745 hrs.
8/7/02 3 Harbour Porpoises were seen travelling west inside the Runnelstone SW369200 at 1015hrs
9/7/02 5 Rootmouth Jellyfish were seen moving past the St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411.
9/7/02 A dead Rootmouth Jellyfish was found on the shore at the Hayle Estuary SW5439
9/7/02 There was an Ocean Sunfish about 100M offshore at Porthgwarra SW371216 during the morning
9/7/02 2 Ocean Sunfish and 8 or 9 Basking Sharks were seen on a boat trip between Boscastle SX093915 and Bude SS200068 during the morning
10/7/02 At 10a.m. a pod of 25 or more Common Dolphin were seen travelling west off Porthgwarra SW371216
10/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Newquay SW8262
11/7/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were off St. Ives SW5241 most of the day. A snorkeler with them said there were 15 in the pod including 2 juveniles of about 3 to 4ft long.
11/7/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose dolphins came from St. Ives direction and were very playful for about an hour at Sennen Cove SW3526 and then moved off toward Land's End.
11/7/02 6 Basking Sharks were near The Gull Rock Portreath SW647457 between 1645 and 1830hrs.
11/7/02 Two small Basking Sharks were seen about a mile off Kennack Sands SW739166 one was about 3M the other smaller
11/7/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen off White Island, St. Martin's I.o.S SV925181
11/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Newquay SW 8262
11/7/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off St Ives Island Lookout SW521411 and one was tossing a Rootmouth Jellyfish into the air.
12/7/02 There were 8 Basking Sharks from 12 to 16ft long near The bawden Rocks SW700532 at 0700hrs. One shark breached. There were dolphins in the area with bait balls of pilchard and many Gannets diving.
12/7/02 5 Basking Sharks and a pod of 6 dolphins were off Cadgwith SW722142 The sharks had been in the area for the past two days and the dolphins for 4 or 5 days.
12/7/02 It was reported today that there were 30 Basking Sharks off Perranporth SW756544 and a pod of Orcas following them.
12/7/02 There were 6 Basking Sharks near The Gull Rock Portreath SW648458 from 1645 to 1830
12/7/02 There were 6 Bottlenose Dolphins and 4 Basking Sharks with about 100 Gannets actively fishing off Wheal Charlotte Porthtowan SW6948 between 1905 and 2040 within 50M of shore.
12/7/02 There were 2 Basking Sharks off Lowland Point SW8019 at 1700hrs.
12/7/02 Lifeguards at Porth Chapel SW6849 noted much activity a mile offshore with Basking Sharks and dolphins at about 1100hrs
12/7/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Coverack SW783182
12/7/02 An 8 to 9ft dolphin spent the afternoon swimming and surfing with human surfers at Bantham Bigbury Bay SX668437. It had a chunk cut out of its dorsal finand scratches along it's side.
12/7/02 There were 3 Harbour Porpoises off Cape Cornwall SW349318 between 1000 and 1130hrs.
13/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish and 5 Common Dolphin were seen off Cape Cornwall SW349318 at 1230hrs
13/7/02 2 Harbour Porpoises were seen at 1630hrs between The Manacles SW8120 and Coverack SW783182
13/7/02 There was a pod of 5 to 10 dolphins, 5 to 6ft long, near Bawden Rocks SW700532 at 0600hrs. There was a thick plankton soup with shoals of pilchard driven into bait balls with many Gannets diving and many Basking Sharks around.
13/7/02 There were about 20 Basking Sharks ¼mile off Perranporth Head SW756544 at 1500hrs moving west. The sharks were 6 to 7 metres long in a calm sea with Gannets diving.
13/7/02 3 Whales were travelling in a wide circular fashion off the cliffs near Hanover Cove SW735532 from 1500 to 1645 hrs. The 10metre whales were surfacing every 5 to 20 mins. With a large splash, yet little of the whales were visible. Dark Brown in colour. One breach was observed in the distance but too far off for identification. Calm sea with Gannets diving and Basking Sharks everywhere but whales not bothered by their presence, but activity ceased when small motor boats passed.
13/7/02 Below the cliffs at Cligga Head SW737538 a turtle was staying close to the cliff at 1630hrs.It was about 2ft long, Green/Yellow in colour with pale underside, frequentlt surfacing and floating with head held out of water. There were Basking Sharks and Whales in the area and a large jellyfish near to the turtle.
13/7/02 3 Basking Sharks were seen circling on the western side of Black Head SW779161 at 2030hrs
13/7/02 A Harbour Porpoise with a baby was seen off Porthgwarra SW371216 at 10a.m. and in the afternoon 10 Common Dolphin and 6 Harbour Porpoises, three of them babies, were seen off Pendeen SW383358
13/7/02 There were very many Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish all along the strand line at Carnsew Pool SW5537. The were both in the pool and around the outer banks. All seemed dead, various sizes from 15cm to 100cm
13/7/02 There were 4 Basking Sharks swimming very close to cliff face between Portreath SW6545 and Sally's Bottom SW677470 at 0900 hrs.
13/7/02 2 Basking Sharks were seen 3 Miles south of Newlyn SW467285 during the morning
13/7/02 There were between 20 and 30 Basking Sharks 10 to 20 miles off Trevose Head SW850765 in position 50º15.75'N  05º45.5'W
13/7/02 A pod of 20 to 30 Common Dolphins were seen about 2 miles offshore during a morning boat trip between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068
14/7/02 A large pod of Common Dolphins and 40 or more Basking Sharks were seen during a morning boat trip between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068 and Common dolphins were seen again in the afternoon
14/7/02 5 Basking Sharks were seen about 2 miles east of The Mew Stone SX729366
14/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen 2 to 3 Nautical miles east of St. Mary's Isles of Scilly.
14/7/02 There were 2 Basking sharks and 12 Harbour porpoises off Carn Gloose SW353313 from 1030 to 1330hrs
14/7/02 There were at least 7 Harbour Porpoises, three of them babies, an Ocean Sunfish and a Basking Shark off pendeen SW383358
14/7/02 There were at least 28 Basking Sharks off Droskyn Point SW753545  at 0800hrs
14/7/02 A very large Ocean Sunfish and many Rootmouth Jellyfish were seen in Mounts bay SW4926
14/7/02 10 dolphins were seen about ½mile NE of Port Gaverne SX001809from 2045 to 2115 including one juvenile and mother. At first they were in 3 pods about 1 to 1½ miles apart but then came together and headedeastwards. There was a lot of Sargassum weed floating on a calm sea.
14/7/02 There were 6 Basking Sharks close inshore at Porthcothan SW 8572 at 1300hrs and still there at 1800hrs There were many Rootmouth Jellyfish in the area as well as a Moon Jellyfish,  Aurelia aurita
14/7/02 50 Rootmouth jellyfish were found dead on the banks of Carnsew Pool Hayle SW5537
14/7/02 A South West TV news reports stated that there were 40 Basking Sharks off Perranporth SW753540 this afternoon. A Pilot Whale was also in the area.
14/7/02 At least 42 Basking sharks were counted in a 10 KM square between Portreath SW6545 and Sally's Bottom SW677470.but many more fins could be seen to the horizon and could be as many as 100. There were many dozen Rootmouth Jellyfish in the area with many Gannets diving. A dead Basking Shark was seen floating belly up off St. Agnes Head SW697515 with a rope attached and the tail apparently cut off.
 One observer said "Wow! The most Baskers I've seen in 45years fishing".
14/7/02 There were about 100 Basking Sharks off Chapel porth SW696495 all day. They were from 12 to 20ft long and seemed to be everywhere from close inshore to several miles out.
14/7/02 There was a pod of 6 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphins swimming alongside small boats in an area to the west of Drake Island SX469528 from 1830 to 1900. The boats stopped or motored slowly and the dolphins headed seaward after about ½ an hour.
14/7/02 A distressed, possibly injured Blue Shark was seen off St. Anthony Head SW846311 at 0900hrs. 3 large Jellyfish were in the area.
14/7/02 A 10ft Basking shark was swimming back and forth in white plankton just offshore at Trebarwith Strand SS047864 for ½ an hour at about 1315
14/7/02 There were about 30 basking Sharks off Perranporth SW756544 during the day.
15/7/02 2 Basking Sharks were seen off Perranporth SW756544
15/7/02 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen off St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 and many Manx Shearwaters had been seen during the past week.
15/7/02 3 Basking Sharks were watched for ½ hour at about 1500hrs. they were 300yds from the shore inside the bay at Bosinney Haven SX066894. Also on the beach was a stranded large clear jellyfish with a ¼M body, ½M tentacles of 50mm diameter, probably a Rootmouth.
15/7/02 A Basking Shark carcass was found stranded at Chapel Porth  SW696495
16/7/02 10 Basking Sharks were seen between St. Agnes Head Swand bawden Rocks SW698516 at 1900hrs.
16/7/02 30 Basking Sharks were reported to be off Hudder Down SW610450 during the day
16/7/02 20 Common Dolphin and 3 Harbour Porpoises were off cape Cornwall SW349318 at 1945
16/7/02 There were at least 32 Basking Sharks NE of Hell's Mouth SW603429 from 1000  to 1100 hrs. Three were seen to breach. At 1630hrs there were 5 Harbour Porpoises, 2 of them babies, and a Basking Shark off Porthgwarra SW371216.
17/7/02  18 Harbour Porpoises, including 6 babies, were seen from the Scillonian III on the way to the Isles  between 0915 and 1145 hrs. They were seen singly or in groups of 2 or 3. An Ocean Sunfish was also seen.  On the return journey 0430hrs  to 1845hrs   10 Harbour porpoises and a Sunfish was seen.
17/7/02 2 Basking Sharks were seen off Coverack SW783182
17/7/02 A small pod of 3 dolphins was seen about ½ mile out from St Agnes Head SW697515 at 1400hrs
17/7/02 4 Basking Sharks from 15 to 20ft long were seen off Newdowns Head SW708519
17/7/02 A 6ft long Leatherback Turtle was seen about ½ mile off St Agnes Head. SW697515.
17/7/02 A large Leatherback Turtle was seen off the Lizard SW694115
17/7/02 4 Basking Sharks, 2 large and 2 smaller, were off the Lizard SW694115 from 1130 to 1600. They were filmed for The Really Wild TV Show.
17/7/02 5 Rootmouth Jellyfish were found stranded at Par Beach SX0853
17/7/02 A Leatherback Turtle was seen 6 miles south of the Isles of Scilly.
17/7/02 Many Rootmouth Jellyfish have been seen in the area about 2 miles offshore between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068., almost daily since April 1st.
18/7/02 There was a Basking Shark 200M off the St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 during the morning.
18/7/02 There were 8 Basking Sharks to the east of Godrevy SW581433 between 1000 and 1030 hrs.
18/7/02 In today's "West Briton" there was a report from Falmouth Divers that they had been diving with 3 pods of 20 Basking Sharks off Perrranporth SW756544 recently. They said they didn't go too near the sharks because the sharks did not appear to like the bubbles, but were near enough to see that they were predominately male and varied in size, the largest being about 8metres.
18/7/02 There were a number of Rootmouth Jellyfish in Polkerris harbour SX092520. One was stranded and the others in very shallow water and seemed likely to become beached.
18/7/02 Two Basking Sharks were in Whitesand Bay SW3526 at 1900. one near the beach moved out to a point north of The Cowloe SW349268 at 1930 and the other shark was further out in the Bay. 1 or 2 dolphins were seen breaking surface further out north of The Cowloe.
18/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen near Cannis Rock, Fowey SX102490 at 1745.
19/7/02 A dolphin was seen at Brixham SX9256 at 2000 hrs playing with people in the water next to the pier.
19/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish and a Basking Shark were seen about 1 mile south of Rinsey Head SW589269 at 1200 hgrs.
19/7/02 A Minke Whale was seen south of St. Mary's Isles of Scilly travelling quite quickly and a large vertical dorsal fin nearby suggested a Killer Whale. Dozens of Gannets were working a shoal of fish and a large fish jumped clear of the water 4 times in succession. There were a few Common Dolphins in the area.
19/7/02 An Inspector of the RSPCA was called to Polkerris SX092520 in the morning where children were playing with numerous Rootmouth Jellyfish. On arrival he counted 42 dead ones and at least another 50 immediately offshore and likely to be beached next tide. The children were warned not to handle them for they could get a weak sting and an allergic reaction on the face. The beach was cleared but a walker from Polkerris to Gribben Head SX098494 claimed she had seen not hundreds but thousands of these jellyfish.
19/7/02 At Least 17 Rootmouth jellyfish were seen from the cliffs at Par SX0853
19/7/02 The headless and tailless carcass of a young Common Dolphin was found on the beach at Whipsiderry SW832635
19/7/02 2 Large Basking Sharks were just off the rocks below Predannick Head SW660162
19/7/02 3 harbour porpoises, including 1 baby, and a Basking shark were seen off Pendeen SW383358
20/7/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose dolphins were off the mouth of the Helford River SW7920
20/7/02 A Rootmouth Jellyfish was seen off Torpoint SX4455, later found stranded
20/7/02 At noon ¼ to ½ mile off Sennen Cove SW3526 in a depth of 30ft a shark jumped clear of the water twice. It jumped away from the observer in a small boat at a distance of about 100yards and seemed dark all over and 4 to 5metres long and noticeably long and drooping pectoral fins. There was no sign of any other activity or Basking sharks in the area. Possibly a large Blue Shark or a Mako.
20/7/02 There were at least 3 Basking Sharks feeding at Sennen Cove SW3526.
21/7/02 There were 2 Basking Sharks feeding off Aires Point SW357281
21/7/02 3 Basking Sharks were off the St. Ives Island Lookout at 1100hrs
21/7/02 30 Rootmouth Jellyfish were found on Par Beach SX0853
21/7/02 A pod of 7 or 8 Bottlenose Dolphins including one juvenile were watched from Trefusis Point SW821338 following various craft in the Carrack Road at 1730 to 1810hrs. The dolphins then moved seaward past Black Rock
21/7/02 There were at least 7 Rootmouth Jellyfish Rhizostoma octopus swimming purposefully about 100metres offshore at Bass Point SW716118 at 1800hrs. All were around 2 to 3 ft across and ranged in colour from blue/green to pinkish
21/7/02 3 Harbour Porpoises were seen between The Gull Rock and Gilstone SV915096 Isles of Scilly and an ocean Sunfish which had been in the area for the last five days was still present.
21/7/02 A pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in Watergate Bay SW8464
22/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen near the wreck site of "Tregonna" a few miles NW of Newquay SW8262
22/7/02 2 Whales were seen near the Wolf Rock Lighthouse, SW404361 from Skybus the plane which visits the Isles of Scilly
22/7/02 A 14ft whale was seen off Old Town St. Mary's Isles of Scilly SV9109. It had a curved dorsal suggesting a Pilot Whale.
22/7/02 An 8ft long Basking Shark was seen by MCS divers on the wreck of the "Denise" near The Vro Mullion SW663175. There was thick plankton being herded by unidentified juvenile fish and Sand Eels. It was in the area from 1600 to 1830 hrs
22/7/02 A large Common Dolphin, perhaps 8 ft, was reported to be in shallow water outside Newlyn Harbour SW467285 and likely to become stranded. Observers when to the site at 2000hrs and from the harbour wall took photos of the animal which was clearly in some distress. For a minimum of 35 minutes it did nothing except swim in tight circles of about 10 to 15ft diameter, little could be done to help the animal which will probably strand overnight. It has since been suggested that the dolphin may have been sleeping, closing down half of its brain and circling to remain in the same area while asleep.
22/7/02 A 1½Metre Ocean Sunfish was seen at Heddons Mouth SS654497 at 1630hrs It was heading south about 75 to 100M offshore.
22/7/02 10 Rootmouth Jellyfish were found beached alive between Polkerris SX092520 and Par SX0752. The finders put those that they were able to back into the water.
22/7/02 A pod of about 15 dolphins and 2 ocean Sunfish were seen ½ mile off The Lizard SW694115
25/7/02 A Grey Seal carcass was found on Chapel Porth Beach SW696495
26/7/02 A very playful pod of about 12 dolphins were reported to be off Woolacombe SS450420.
26/7/02 2 Basking Sharks, one of which breached, and 5 Harbour Porpoises were off Pendeen SW383358 today.
26/7/02 4 Harbour Porpoises were off Peninnis Head SV9109 St. Mary's I.o.S.
26/7/02 There were 2 or 3 harbour Porpoises breaking surface occasionally in the tide race near The Longships Lighthouse SW320253
26/7/02 About 20 Common Dolphin and 7 Basking Sharks were seen at midday on a boat trip between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068
27/7/02 4 Harbour Porpoises were off the west coast of St. Mary's I.o.S. SV9011
27/7/02 Up to 12 dolphins were off the Daymark St. Martin's I.o.S SV9416
27/7/02 At least 4 Rootmouth Jellyfish were near the August Rock Buoy SW795270 in the morning swimming strongly eastward on the surface at first but as boat approached submerged and continued swimming at a depth of about 10ft.
27/7/02 A pod of about 6 Bottlenose Dolphin were off Newquay SW8262 from 1430 to 1900hrs
27/7/02 A Whale and 30 to 40 dolphins were seen off Tintagel Head SX047890at 1400hrs Attention was drawn by the whale breaching and with binoculars the dolphins were spotted but too far off to identify dolphins. Many gulls were in the area.
27/7/02 11 Harbour Porpoises, 2 lots of 2 Adults with 2 babies and a group of three were ½ to 1 mile offshore at Pendeen SW383358 from 1500 to 1700hrs
27/7/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Cape Cornwall SW349318
27/7/02 A Basking Shark was seen off Trebarwith Strand SX047864
27/7/02 60 Basking Sharks were seen between Tintagel SX047890 and Boscastle SX097913 mid morning
27/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was investigating divers at a depth 10 to 15metres basking in their bubbles near The Mort Stone, Rockham Shoal North Devon 51º11.5N  04º15.0'W at 1600hrs
27/7/02 There was a pod of 3 or 4 dolphins off Watergate Bay SW8464 at about midday
28/7/02 A Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish was caught alive off Turnchapel SX4953 Plym estuary.
28/7/02 2 Rootmouth Jellyfish were seen separately off Gyllyngvase Beach SW808316, Falmouth at 1000hrs and 4 in a cluster off Pendennis Head SW826315 at 1530hrs.
28/7/02 There were 3 Harbour Porpoises and 2 Risso's Dolphins off Porthgwarra SW371216 at midday.
28/7/02 Eleven Ocean Sunfish were in St Ives Bay SW5241
28/7/02 There were 2 dolphins, probably Common Dolphins, 1 mile off Back Head SW799162 and 5 or 6 harbour Porpoises 2 miles SE of the Head
28/7/02 There were 2 Bottlenose Dolphins off Upton Towans SW575401 at 1400hrs these were joined by 6 more later in the afternoon. There were also 4 Ocean Sunfish in the Bay as well as many Rootmouth Jellyfish
28/7/02 A Grey seal was seen in the cove just below the Coastguard Lookout at Pendennis Head .  SW825316
28/7/02 There was a pod of 8 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphin in St. Ives Bay SW5241 all day.
28/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Port Gavern SX000811 at 1500hrs. It was floating on its side and flapping a pectoral fin
28/7/02 An Ocean Sunfish became trapped in Guernsey harbour at low tide at about 1500hrs. It was 2ft across and dark bluish along the back.
28/7/02 4 Risso's Dolphin, 3 adults and a baby, were seen off Porthgwarra SW371216 today
28/7/02 A small group of about 10 Velella velella By-the-wind-sailors were seen a mile south of Cudden Point SW548275 at 1300hrs
29/7/02 There were 2 dolphins off Mawgan Porth SW8467
29/7/02 A new born dead Grey Seal pup was found on Perran sands SW540292 with its umbilical cord still attached. This is early in the season for seal birth but every month will produce at least one.
29/7/02 A Grey Seal carcass was found at Porthluney Cove SW973412
29/7/02 A pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphin were close inshore most of the day in the surf with human surfers at Watergate Bay SW8464
29/7/02 2 Basking Sharks were between Porthcothan and park Head SW8472 with perhaps 2000 birds feeding on a huge shoal of Mackere. There were Gulls, Fulmars, Shags, Cormorants, Razorbills and Guillemots but not a single Gannet. The water surface by what is known as Breezing by fishermen, a phenomenon caused by the feeding frenzied Mackerel or their prey, probably Sand Eels, breaking surface. An Ocean Sunfish was circling in this confusion and several Compass Jellyfish 25cm across were present.
29/7/02 A 5M Basking Shark was seen near The Greeb SW531290. there were s separate white circular marks 15cm diameter just behind the dorsal fin right of centre, also a 45cm caramel coloured parasite right hand side behind the pectoral fin , possibly a Remora. There were a considerable number of small brown jellyfish in the area.
30/7/02 5 dolphin, probably Bottlenose , were in Sennen Cove SW3526 most of the day till dusk but were harassed by Jet Skis for the last 30mins.
30/7/02 Benty's pod of 6 to 8 Bottlenose Dolphin were playing in the surf at Sennen Cove SW3526
30/7/02 A small pod of dolphin thought to be Risso's entered Sennen  Bay Sw3526 but quickly left in the direction of Land's End
30/7/02 A pod of about 100 Sei Whales was in sight from 46º02N 20º53W to 46º06N 20º42W at midday from a Mylor Yacht Club yacht on route from The Azores to Falmouth
1/8/02  There was a Rootmouth Jellyfish stranded at Mexico Towans SW559389
1/8/02 A Blue Shark was seen working a shoal of fish off Treen Cliff SW3942 at noon.
1/8/02 A Basking Shark was about 300metres off Pendeen Cliff SW383358 at 1100hrs and an Ocean Sunfish was a little closer inshore.
1/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen swimming south at 1329hrs. in position 48º54.269N  04º50.175W
1/8/02 A pod of probably 9 Risso's Dolphin was observed for about 11 mins. in a slightly choppy sea at 1552 hrs. in position 49º03.646N.  04º50.175W.
1/8/02 A pod of 15 to 25 Common Dolphin including 2 juveniles was seen at 2112hrs for a short encounter in position 49º30.80N. 05º04.095W.
1/8/02 A flock of diving Gannets drew attention to a large pod of at least 50 and possibly 100 dolphins at 1100hrs, in position 47º57.14N  04º37.52W near Penmarsh
2/8/02 A Harbour Porpoise and a Basking Shark were seen off Porthgwarra Cove SW371216 at 1300hrs
2/8/02 Benty's  pod of 5 or 6 Bottlenose Dolphin were in Sennen Cove SW3526 during the day quietly feeding and not very playful.
2/8/02 There were 6 Rootmouth jellyfish stranded on Carne Beach SW9038 on the Roseland peninsula. They had been stranding in ones and two every day since July 27th.
2/8/02 2 Basking Sharks were seen off the Longships Lighthouse SW320253 at about midday. One was over 30ft in length and very fat or wide and very pale in colour, almost white, and appeared very old.  The other was no more than about 9Ft.
2/8/02 4 Ocean Sunfish were seen between The Brisons SW340301 and Gurnards Head SW432387, one was 4ft across the others smaller.
2/8/02 At least 7 harbour Porpoises including 2 babies were scattered in small groups off Pendeen SW383358 during the afternoon and a pod of 8 to 12 Risso's Dolphins including at least 3 babies were seen travelling west 1½miles offshore at 1630hrs.
3/8/02 A Leatherback Turtle was swimming within 20M of a boat about 6 miles south of St. Mary's I.o.S in position 49º45.97 N   06º16.18 W
3/8/02 An Ocean sunfish was seen to leap off Boscastle SX0891
3/8/02 A 3M Basking shark was watched for over an hour at about 1800hrs ¾mile off Treen SW430383.
3/8/02 A 1M female Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish which became stranded on the beach at Marazion SW5131 was successfully refloated and it swam away.
3/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen 3½ miles out in Donegal Bay Ireland heading inshore toward Mullaghmore at 1630hrs . It was about 20" across
3/8/02 Benty's pod of 10 or so  Bottlenose Dolphins  were in  Sennen Cove SW3526 at 1500hrs, quietly feeding and not very playful.
3/8/02 A pod of at least 5 dolphins was seen heading SW off Botallack SW361338 between 1355 and 1404. One had a whitish area just below the dorsal.
3/8/02 A Leatherback Turtle was seen 8 miles south of the Isles of Scilly.
4/8/02 2 small Basking sharks were in the centre of Sennen Bay SW3526 moving slowly, feeding.
4/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Penlee Point SX443487
4/8/02 An 18" Rhizostoma octopus became stranded near the beach car park Mounts Bay SW507312 on the 1300 high tide. At 1530 it was being pelted with stones by children. Another was in very shallow water in the inner basin of Penzance Harbour struggling against the wind drift and in danger of becoming stranded at about 1445hrs.
4/8/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were in St. Ives Bay during the afternoon.
4/8/02 A dead seal, floating and bloated was seen between Porthallow and Three Mile Buoy  in position 50º04.87N  05º 02.67W
4/8/02 5 Basking Sharks were off Pendeen SW383358
4/8/02 There were 2 Basking Sharks off Sennen Cove SW3526. A small one remained outside of the cove but the larger one was visible within the cove from 0800 to 1645 but was not given a minutes peace by surfers, rowing boats, canoes and divers.
4/8/02 A Grey Seal has been seen most evenings for the past week below the cliff at
Pedn-men-du  SW347262
4/8/02 Eight Bottlenose Dolphins, 8 Harbour Porpoises and a Basking Shark were seen off Pendeen SW383358 between 0900 and 1130hrs.
5/8/02 Three Basking Sharks were off Cape Cornwall SW349318 at 1200hrs.
5/8/02 2 dolphins were watched playing with boats in the Camel estuary SW9277
5/8/02 A large pod of 25 Bottlenose Dolphins spent much of the day off Carbis Bay SW528389. Benty was not seen in this pod.
5/8/02 A very rare whale has been washed up on the South African coast, probably the least known of the worlds whales, since research is based on only two weathered skulls. The first found on a beach near Mackay, Queensland, Australia in 1882 and was named by this evidence by Longman in 1926. The second Longmans Whale skull was found on the floor of a fertilizer factory in Mogadishu in 1955 and traced to a beach near Danane on the NE coast of Somalia where it had been picked up by local fishermen. These widely separate locations suggest an extensive range in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
5/8/02 A Humpback Whale was seen heading South off the coast of Senigallia in the central Adriatic Sea. This is unusual in the fact that it is the first sighting of this species in this sea.
5/8/02 A Rootmouth Jellyfish, Rhizostoma octopus was seen off Hell's Mouth SW603429
5/8/02 2 compass Jellyfish Chrysaora hysoscella were found at the east end of Portreath Beach SW654455. They were about 10" diameter. Also on the beach were 4 Cyanea lamarckii  4" diameter and bright indigo blue. A little 3 year old girl had picked up a 6" diameter specimen at Widemouth SX1902 a few days before with no ill effects.
5/8/02 There were 6 Basking Sharks moving slowly feeding in Sennen Cove Sw3526 One was very big, at least 25ft with a huge dorsal.
6/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Porthcothan SW8572 and in the shallows near Trescore Island 6 specimens of the Little Cuttle Sepiola atlantica  were found. No bigger that 20mm this fast moving mollusc does not have a cuttle 'bone' but a small 'pen' like that of a squid.
6/8/02 A medium sized Basking Shark was seen close to the cliff at Bosigran SW417368 during the afternoon.
6/8/02 8 Common Dolphin were seen off Porthgwarra SW371216 and there were 31 Common Scoter in the area.
6/8/02 2 rare fish were caught by anglers in the Helford River SW763269. They were Gilthead Bream Sparus auratus. One weighed 2 lbs  the other 1 lb 10 oz.
6/8/02 There was a congregation of about 6 small boats some 200yds offshore from Carbis Bay SW5238 in an area of a tremendous amount of large splashes rising 15ft or more into the air at 1600hrs. The observer from the cliff top then saw a large whale breach followed by another and a large black dorsal and tail was seen as was the distinctive white flashes of a Killer Whale. The observer had no doubts that they saw a pod of up to 4 Killer Whales that breaches several times and moved further away from shore after 10mins.
6/8/02 A pod of 6 to 10 Common Dolphin were 1½ miles off Gwennap Head at 1020hrs
7/8/02 2 Ocean Sunfish were off cape Cornwall SW349318 at 1200hrs
7/8/02 Ocean Sunfish have been seen every day of the first week of August from the Coastwatch Lookout St. Ives Island SW5141 with a maximum of 8 on Monday 5th. Rootmouth Jellyfish have also been seen on a daily basis and also Bottlenose Dolphins the last being a group of about 8.
7/8/02 A pod of 20 or more Common Dolphin incluging a numbver of young were seen 20 miles off Land's End.
8/8/02 Ocean Sunfish have been seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241all of the past week.
8/8/02 30 Ocean Sunfish were seen heading westward in groups of 6 to 8 off Pendeen SW383358 between 0830 and 0930 hrs.
9/8/02 4 Ocean Sunfish and a Basking Shark were seen off Pendeen SW383358 between 1800 and 2000 hrs.
9/8/02 A headless seal with greyish fir was reported today by a beach lifeguard at Perranporth SW7555
10/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen heading out of the estuary at Daymer Bay SW9277 by a windsurfer who passed within 1M of the fish when 100M offshore at 1500hrs.
10/8/02 A Snake Pipefish Entelurus aequoreus  was seen by a snorkeller off Long Rock SW498308. It was a fully grown female about 24" long.
10/8/02 A dead Seal pup was found on the beach at Trevanaunce Cove SW722517 St. Agnes
10/8/02 There was an Ocean Sunfish off Pendeen SW383358 between 1500 and 1800hrs.
10/8/02 Two dolphins were playing in the surf at Watergate Bay SW8464 in the evening.
11/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241 at 1215hrs.
11/8/02 A Basking Shark was seen at 1108hrs. The fin only was seen in choppy water near the |August Rock Buoy SW795270.
12/8/02 A Minke Whale was seen heading SW across Mount's Bay SW4726 at 1915hrs
1½ miles SE of Mousehole
12/8/02 A 2to3ft Ocean Sunfish was on the surface near the Irish Lady SW346260,Gamper Bay
12/8/02 A pod of about 20 Common Dolphin were seen about 2 miles offshore between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068
13/8/02  A 6 to 7ft long Leatherback Turtle was seen 5 miles south of Plymouth Breakwater in position 50º.15 5N  04º 09 5W. There were many jellyfish in the area.
13/8/02 8 Bottlenose Dolphins and 13 Ocean Sunfish were seen in St, Ives Bay SW5241
13/8/02 40 dead Rootmouth Jellyfish were found on Par Beach SX0853
13/8/02 3 Ocean Sunfish were seen in a group in Padstow Bay SW9279
13/8/02 A pod of between 12 and 30 Bottlenose Dolphins including at least 1 juvenile was seen about 5 miles south of Plymouth SX4754 at 1100hrs.
14/8/02 30 dead Rootmouth Jellyfish were found on Carne Beach SW9038
15/8/02 4 Ocean Sunfish each about 1 metre across were about 50 metres off The Mouls SW938815. One had an adult Herring Gull cleaning it of parasites at 1400hrs
15/8/02 There was an Ocean Sunfish off Pendeen SW383358 between 1500 and 1530
15/8/02 A Leatherback Turtle was seen 5½ miles south of Penninis SV914095 Isles of Scilly
15/8/02 A Basking Shark was feeding at the surface near the Cowloes SW348266 Sennen.
16/8/02  A Leatherback Turtle was seen near Pole Bank, The Eastern Islea Isles of Scilly.
16/8/02 A Minke Whale was seen travelling west 2-3 miles off Gwennap Head Lookout SW367215 at 1715hrs and 2 Harbour Porpoises were about 2 miles SW of the lookout.
16/8/02 2 Harbour Porpoises were seen heading westwards off Pentire Head SW923804
16/8/02 A group of 8 to 10 Ocean Sunfish were seen heading westwards off Pentire Head SW923804
16/8/02 A Minke Whale was seen heading westward off Porthgwarra SW371216 at 1715.
16/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish and 3 Harbour porpoises were seen off Pendeen 3833588 between 0830 and 1145hrs.
16/8/02 Several Ocean Sunfish were off the Quies SW8376
16/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was on the surface spitting water at a gull on its back near The Irish Lady SW346260 Gamper Bay.
16/8/02 A Basking Shark was moving slowly feeding at the surface near the Cowloes SW348266 Sennen.
17/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was very active at the surface jumping, splashing and spitting water at gulls near The Irish Lady SW346260 Gamper Bay
17/8/02 Several Ocean Sunfish were off Gulland Rock SW878789
17/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish 3ft across was seen NW of The Mew Stone SX729366
18/8/02 There were 50 or more Common Dolphins in 4 or 5 groups heading NE feeding on and following a large shoal of fish about 5 miles SW of The Lizard SW694115 at 1330hrs. 200 or more Gannets were also feeding on the shoal in calm conditions with a slight swell.
18/8/02 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen in Port Issac Bay SS0182
18/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen 1½ miles off Brighton marina TV3100 at 1030hrs
18/8/02 A 50cm diameter Rhizostoma octopus was found on Hannafore Beach SX257524
18/8/02 3 Grey Seals were seen in Port Issac Bay SS0182
18/8/02 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen off Pendeen SW383358 between 0800 and 1100hrs and a further 10 were seen between 1300 and 1900hrs.
18/8/02 Hundreds of empty tests of the Sea Potato Urchin Echinocardium cordatum were found on a stretch of a couple hundred metres of the beach at Longrock SW5031. These strandings were probably connected with the recent algal bloom which has caused the deaths of many shore and near shore species.
18/8/02 2 dolphins were playing in the surf at Watergate Bay SW8464
19/8/02 4 dolphins were seen heading eastward 500yds off the beach at Trevaunance Cove SW721516
19/8/02 At least 6 Harbour Porpoises including one group of 2 adults and 2 babies were seen about 1 mile offshore at Gwennap Head SW367215 at 1000hrs There was also an Ocean Sunfish closer inshore.
19/8/02 Benty's pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Newquay SW8262
19/8/02 A Basking Shark was moving slowly feeding at the surface in Sennen Cove 3526
19/8/02 4 Ocean Sunfish were seen in the vicinity of the Longships lighthouse SW320253
19/8/02 A large Ocean Sunfish was seen on the surface off Aires Point SW357281
20/8/02 A small whale, thought to be a Minke, was seen from land  pacing a type 23 frigate off Polperro SX209509 and the crew could be seen lining the rail watching
20/8/02 A pod of about 6 Bottlenose Dolphins passed south westward between St Clements Island and Mousehole Harbour SW470263 at 2050hrs.
20/8/02 42 Compass Jellyfish, Chrysaora hysoscella and 54 blue Jellyfish Cyanea lamarckii were found stranded on the beach at Port Gaverne SX001809
20/8/02 A Basking Shark was moving slowly feeding at the surface in Sennen Cove SW3526
20/8/02 Benty's pod of 6 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Bay SW3526 until 1000hrs
20/8/02 An unidentified whale was seen on a morning boat trip between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068
21/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen drifting with the tide close inshore off Gurnards Head SW432387
21/8/02 It was reported from the St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 that Ocean Sunfish and Rhizostoma octopus have been seen in the bay every day for the past week.
21/8/02 On a trip to the isles on Scillonian III a Basking Shark was seen in approximate position SW3720, A large Ocean Sunfish  at SW3619, 3 harbour porpoises at SW3217 and a mother Harbour Porpoise with a baby at SV9008
21/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was on the surface drifting with the tide off Gurnards Head SW432387 and presenting different aspects from time to time.
21/8/02 A 2ft long dead Seal Pup was found on Watergate Bay Beach SW86
21/8/02  A Basking Shark was about 1 mile west of Gwennap Head Lookout SW367215 at 1100hrs
21/8/02 There were 3 Ocean Sunfish and a Harbour Porpoise off Pendeen between 1300 and 1900hrs.
22/8/02 Benty's pod of 12 Bottlenose Dolphins including 4 babies were off Pendeen SW383358 between 1200 and 1400hrs.
22/8/02 A pod of 12 bottlenose Dolphins including 4 Juveniles was seen off Pendeen SW383358 up to about 1330hrs.
22/8/02 A whale, possibly a Minke, was spotted 1 mile SW of Wolf Rock SW270120 from MV Scillonian III. Many Compass Jellyfish were also seen on the way to the Isles
22/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen swimming on the surface near the Bishops Rock Lighthouse SV807066 Isles of Scilly at 1600hrs.
22/8/02 A 15ft Basking Shark was close to the beach at Kennack Sands SW739166 at 1930hrs
22/8/02 A large Leatherback Turtle was seen in the Western Approaches
22/8/02 A 6 to 8ft long Leatherback Turtle was seen eating a jellyfish about 100 to 150 yards off the east end of Slapton Sands SX830443. It dived when the boat approached.
23/8/02 A pod of between 25 and 50 unidentified dolphins were milling around about 1½ miles off Rame Head SX419481at 1215hrs seen from the coastwatch station. There was no breaching, no birds and no boats in the area.
23/8/02 A Minke Whale was seen heading north about 10 miles south of Fowey SX123514 at 1800hrs. It surfaced 5 times to breathe.
23/8/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin were seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241 in the afternoon.
23/8/02 8 grey bulky dolphin with tall dorsal fins (like small whales) were seen from the St.Ives Island Lookout SW521411, probably Risso's dolphin.
23/8/02 There was a Harbour Porpoise off Pendeen SW383358 between 0930 and 1030hrs
23/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was 500M off Porthgwarra SW371216 at 0930hrs and 2 Harbour Porpoises off Gwennap Head SW367215 at 1130hrs and at 1600hrs there were 4 Harbour Porpoises, 2 adults and 2 babies, 1 mile north of Pendeen SW383358.
23/8/02 A pod of about 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were playing and jumping around the lifeboat at Sennen Cove SW3526
24/8/02 A pod of Bottlenose dolphin proceeded SE past The Mount at Marazion SW513311 at 0800.
24/8/02 There were 8 to 10 Ocean Sunfish off The Rumps SW9381 today
24/8/02 There were 4 Ocean Sunfish off Pendeen SW383358 during the afternoon.
24/8/02 A pod of up to 6 Common Dolphins were seen for about 8 mins. at 1100hrs, in position 49º56.17N. 05º57.786W
25/8/02 There was an Ocean Sunfish off Pendeen SW383358 between 1130 and 1500hrs.
25/8/02 A pod of 8 Bottlenose Dolphins including 2 juveniles was seen about a mile off Cadgwith SW722142 at 1500hrs.
25/8/02 2 Ocean Sunfish each nearly a metre across were seen heading westwards off The Mouls SW938815
25/8/02 Several Harbour Porpoises were feeding in the tide race around the Longships Lighthouse SW320253 off Land'a End They were breaking surface occasionally but it was difficuly to be sure of the number
26/8/02 A small dead Ocean Sunfish was found in a pool at Lundy Bay SW957793
26/8/02 A dead Seal pup was found on Harlyn Beach SW875755
26/8/02 A pod of 4 or 5 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen at 0820hrs. in position 49º53.929N. 05º15.704W
26/8/02 2 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen at 1120hrs. in position 49º51.177N. 05º15.704W.
27/8/02 A 6ft Leatherback Turtle was seen about 3 miles off Exmouth SY001801 at 1300hrs. It had a long neck, beaked head with creamy green patches on it. It ddived when boat approached. 15 to 20 minutes later a large salmon coloured jellyfish was seen.
28/8/02 A freshly dead Rootmouth Jellyfish found on the Polzeath Voluntary Marine Wildlife Area was placed in a vessel of water and from under it swam a few dozen specimens of a small (½" long) amphipod (sand hoppers and their relatives) called Hyperia galba.  Theses are always associated with one or other of the species of jellyfish living under the shelter of the umbrella (often within the gonad cavities) where they are sought by some species of fish.
28/8/02 A 70cm (2'4") Ocean Sunfish was swimming lazily about 3 miles south of Looe SX2652 but dived when the boat approached.
28/8/02 A Basking Shark and an Ocean Sunfish were offGwennap Head Lookout SW371216 at 1000hrs
28/8/02 There were 3 Ocean Sunfish off Pendeen SW383358 during the afternoon.
29/8/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Zennor Head SW450395 at 1500hrs.
31/8/02 There were 3 Ocean Sunfish being pecked at by immature gulls off Pendeen SW383358 between 1400 and 1900hrs
31/8/02 A 4ft Leatherback Turtle was seen feeding on a jellyfish off Looe SX2652
1/9/02 A 1 metre long dead female white coated seal pup was found on Widemouth Bay Beach SS197017. It was near Black Rock and beginning to decompose and will be removed by North Cornwall District Council.
1/9/02 A 6'7" long dead dolphins was found on Perran Sands, Perranporth SW795558. It was pulled above the tidemark for possible põst môrt'ém
1/9/02 A Grey Seal was watching two boys crabbing in the rocks at Porthgwarra SW371216 at 2000hrs on an incoming tide.
1/9/02 A Grey Seal was seen swimming east to west off the beach at Porthbeor SW864319 at 1545
1/9/02 A pod of about 20 Common Dolphin and a Pilot Whale was seen on a morning boat trip between Boscastle SX163993 and Bude SS200068
2/9/02 Harbour porpoises were breaking surface occasionally as they were feeding in the tide race around the Longships Lighthouse SW320253.
3/9/02 A 6ft Leatherback Turtle was seen wallowing east of Rame Head SX419481 with grey green carapace looking like an overturned boat with a longitudinal ridge. The head was nearly ½metre long and 20cm broad. It dived then resurfaced briefly and disappeared. The sea was very calm.
5/9/02 A seal pup was seen basking in the sun on the rocks at the Longships Lighthouse SW320253
6/9/02 A lone dolphin or porpoise was seen from St. Ives Island Lookout SW521411 and 10 Ocean Sunfish were seen leaving the bay.
7/9/02 A raft of bubbles was noticed in the tide race east of St. Mary's Isles of Scilly. The observer watched for a few minutes through binoculars and was rewarded with the sight of 20 or more Common Dolphins circling to the surface. The prey was not seen but was probably mackerel or pilchard.
7/9/02 A pod of about 8 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen at 1525hrs in Cawsand Bay SX445505. Some juveniles were present and Herring Gulls were following overhead at they moved from east to west
7/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen near The Cannis Buoy off Gribban Head SX 102490 at midday.
7/9/02 A small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, perhaps 4 or 5, was seen close inshore from the road near Marazion Station SW506312
8/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen about 1½ miles SW of Plymouth Breakwater. It was approx. 1M long
8/9/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen leaping and playing off Marazion Station  SW517312 at 0900hrs and again in the same area at 1930hrs.
8/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Pendeen SW383358 at 1200 hrs.
8/9/02 A pod of about 12 dolphins were seen off Penzance SW4729 at 0900hrs. tTwo were large and very dark and two were small and lighter in colour
9/9/02 4 Harbour Porpoises including a baby were seen about a mile off Pendeen SW383358 at 1030hrs An Ocean Sunfish was also in the area.
10/9/02 A pod of approx 15 dolphins were watched for 15 minutes about ¼ mile off Out Head SV911092 St. Mary's Isles of Scilly at 1630hrs. Gannets were diving in the area so the dolphins were probably feeding.
10/9/02 A Grey Seal was seen swimming 20ft offshore at Godrevy SW580433 between 1000 and 1130hrs.
10/9/02 A white coated seal pup carcass under a metre in length was found stranded between Perranporth and Penhale Camp SW7856
11/9/02 A pod of 8 to 10 Bottlenose Dolphins were shooting along the waves with the surfers and leaping out of the water against a backdrop of a beautiful sunset at Fistral beach SW7962. Pure Magic said the observer.
11/9/02 A pod of 7 or 8 dolphins were in the Camel Estuary SW920780 between Stepper Point and Daymer Bay
12/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Pendeen SW383358 between 1400 and 1645 hrs,
12/9/02 A pod of 8 Bottlenose Dolphins were in St. Ives Bay SW5241
12/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Pendeen SW383358 at 1400hrs
12/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen off Gogrevy SW581433 during the afternoon.
12/9/02 2 Seal pups were seen basking on the rocks at the Longships Lighthouse SW320253
13/9/02 20 Ocean Sunfish were seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241 all within ½ hour.  They varied in size from 18" to 4 ft. and most were accompanied by immature gulls. Three unidentified dolphins were also seen heading toward Godrevy SW580433.
14/9/02 A pod of about 7 Bottlenose Dolphins was seen heading seaward in the Camel Estuary SW9279 at 1800hrs. There were adult dolphins of 8 to 10 ft long.
14/9/02 A single dolphin was seen about ¼ mile off Housel Bay SW7011 at 1700hrs. Swimming purposefully it breached 3 times but stopped briefly to investigate a patch of floating seaweed.
15/9/02 A pod of about 15 Pilot Whales was seen 500Metres offshore between Widemouth Bay and Bude SS1905 at 1420hrs. They were heading north.
15/9/02 A small Ocean Sunfish was seen in position 49º50.6'N. 06º19.6'W.  off the Isles of Scilly .
15/9/02 A Minke Whale, sometimes called a Pike Whale, was alongside a boat in the Moray Firth 57º49.50N  03º39.20W when a Leatherback Turtle approached and swam under the boat.
15/9/02 A pod of 5 dolphins was seen heading north off Phillip's Point SS119043 near Bude at about midday.
17/9/02 There were at least 5 Bottlenose Dolphins in the Camel Estuary near the Greenaway Buoy SW9278. Both the dolphins and the watchers appeared to be enjoying themselves.
17/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen soliciting a Gannet which showed no interest about 300metres off Pendeen SW383358 at 1300hrs.
18/9/02 A pod of at least 4 Bottlenose Dolphins went eastward past Godrevy SW581433 at 1500hrs. Benty was not seen in this pod.
18/9/02 A Basking Shark was seen heading north off Peninnis Head St. Mary's Isles of Scilly SV914095 at 0920hrs.
18/9/02 A Flying Gurnard was caught off South Cornwall by fishing vessel Natalie-B. 9.7 miles east of Wolf Rock in position 49º50.6N 05º33.6W at a depth of 70metres.  This bottom living fish was brought up when the vessel was trawling for scallops. The Flying Gurnard Dactylopterus volitans has only ever been recorded in British Waters once since records began over 100 years ago.
19/9/02 A Bearded Seal, an Arctic visitor, was rescued off the coast of Galway last week. The first one it is believed to be recorded in Ireland.
20/9/02 A second Flying Gurnard has been caught approximately 24 nautical miles ESE of the position given for the fish caught on the 18th Sept.
20/9/02 A very large Ocean Sunfish, 4ft plus across, was seen moving slowly near The Irish Lady SW346260 Gamper Bay
21/9/02 3 Rhizostoma octopus Jellyfish were seen floating at the surface between Godrevy SW580433 and Navax Point SW593437 between 1200 & 1300hrs.
22/9/02 A Grey Seal was seen from the cliff top at 1530hrs feeding her white coated pup on the beach near Navax Gate Cove SW588434. The seal went into the sea leaving her pup on the beach.
22/9/02 An Ocean Sunfish wallowed past Navax Point SW593437 at 1600hrs. It was about 50M off the point drifting in the current westwards. As it neared the offshore islets it dived strongly and swam around the outer one disappearing in the tide race. At about 1615hrs a Rhizostoma octopus Jellyfish followed the same course and at 1630hrs two Grey Seal cows started hunting around the islets. The sea was very clear with a moderate NW wind
22/9/02 A pod of 3 or 4 small Bottlenose Dolphins was seen in the surf off Porth Kidney SW5439 at 1930 hrs, from a dive boat.
22/9/02 5 dolphins were seen on a morning boat trip between Boscastle Sx163993 and Bude SS200068
22/9/02 A Grey Seal was spotted between moorings H8 and H9 in Mylor Yacht harbour SW823352 at 1130 hrs.  It stayed around for about 5 minutes.
23/9/02 A Risso's Dolphin was seen about 2 miles off Dizzard Point SX163993 during the morning
24/9/02 A pod of about 60 Common dolphins was seen approximately 3 miles SE of Bishop's Rock, I.o.S. Also in the area were a Long Tailed Skua, 5 Great Skua, an Arctic Skua, 5 Storm Petrel, and Arctic Tern and about 1200 Gannet.
24/9/02 A large blow, 15 to 18ft high, was seen about 2 miles west of Nanquidno SW357294. The whale was Fin Whale size and shape but the species is not certain.
25/9/02 A pod of 15 to 20 Common Dolphin were seen 2 miles SW of Gwennap Head SW367215 feeding beneath Gannets.
25/9/02 A pod of about 12 Common Dolphin was seen on a pelagic bird watching trip approximately 16 miles south of St. Mary's Isles of Scilly.
28/9/02 A Grey Seal was seen bobbing with head out of water just north of Turnaware Point SW835383 in Carrack Roads, at 1100hrs.
29/9/02 2 Rootmouth Jellyfish swam under a dive boat anchored just off Hell's Mouth SW603429 at 1300hrs.
1/10/02 On a pelagic bird watching trip 8 miles south of St Mary's Isles of Scilly a pod of about 40 Common Dolphins were seen as well as Shearwaters, Skuas and Petrels.
1/10/02 A small toothed cetacean carcass was seen floating about 100yds offshore  near Polperro SX194503
2/10/02 2 Risso's Dolphin were seen heading NE about 1nautical mile off St. Loy SW424230 at 0945hrs. from the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Patrol Vessel.
3/10/02 A pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphins including one juvenile was seen off Looe SX2651 at 1100hrs.
3/10/02 A pod of 7 dolphins, including one juvenile keeping close to mother was playing in the surf in Whitsand Bay SX4050 at 0830hrs moving westward.
3/10/02 A pod of 6 dolphins including a juvenile and another about ¼ away were seen heading westward off Gwithian SW5841 during the afternoon. There was no breaching.
4/10/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen off Cape Cornwall SW349318 between 0750 and 0950 as well as Shearwaters, Skuas, Scoter, Fulmars and a Red Throated Diver.
4/10/02 Two Dead grey coated seals were found between Lusty Glaze and Tolcarne Beach SW820624. One carcass had an eye missing. This may be a private beach.
4/10/02 A Grey Seal with two pups were seen in the water close to shore at Godrevy SW581433.
4/10/02 A Harbour Porpoise carcass was found on the beach at Gwynver SW361273
5/10/02 Two or more Harbour Porpoises were seen off Cape Cornwall SW340318 between 0730 and 1030 hrs. as well as Shearwaters and Common Scoters.
5/10/02 A mother and Baby Grey Seal were seen playing at the waters edge in St. Georges Cove SW670152 at 1130hrs.
6/10/02 Six dolphins were watched for about ½ hour jumping high out of the water at 1300hrs. They were observed 4 miles due east of Gribben Head SX097497
6/10/02 At 1245 hrs about 60 Common Dolphins headed westward a mile off Gwennap Head SW367215 and at 1545 hrs a further 20 headed westward off Porthgwarra SW371216
7/10/02 A dolphin was seen off Cape Cornwall SW349318 between 0750 and 0930 hrs as well as Shearwaters, Scoters, Skuas and a Red Throated Diver.
7/10/02 A large dead seal found on the beach at Marazion SW5131 was removed by  local council men.
7/10/02 Two dead Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish were found on the beach at Hayle Towans SW575401
9/10/02 A dead white coated seal pup was seen on The Carrack Rocks SW525399, west of St. Ives.
10/10/02 A large Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish was found stranded on the beach at Porthtowan
SW680482
10/10/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen from a boat on a pelagic bird watching trip from the Isles of Scilly . Birds seen were Skuas, Shearwaters, Petrels,
Little Gull and Great Northern Diver.
10/10/02 A pod of about 100 dolphins, probably Common Dolphins, was off Penninis SV914095 Isles of Scilly
11/10/02 A pod of about 100 dolphins, probably Common Dolphins was 6 miles north of the Isles of Scilly .
13/10/02 2 adult Grey Seals were in the water near the rocks at the foot of the steps down from the National Trust Car Park at Godrevy SW581428 at 1800hrs.
16/10/02 3 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen about 5 miles south of Dodman Point SX000392 at 1130hrs
16/10/02 30 to 40 Grey Seals were hauled out on the beach at Mutton Cove SW584433 with 5 or 6 younger individuals playing in the water close to the beach. They were watched for at least ½ an hour around 1130am. None appeared to be in any distress.
16/10/02 A large Grey Seal was on the rocks at Godrevy Cove SW581428 at midday and two smaller seals were in the water near by.
17/10/02 A dead seal pup was found on the beach at Watergate Bay SW8464 near Newquay. It was a 4ft male. Later a white coated seal pup was found on the same beach which might have been abandoned, the Seal Sanctuary was informed.
18/10/02 2 Ocean Sunfish and 2 Rhizostoma octopus were seen were seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241
19/10/02 A Fin Whale went eastward off Deep Point SV932112 St. Mary's Isles of Scilly at 1145hrs.
19/10/02 2 dolphins, thought to be Bottlenose, were seen off Cadgwith SW722142 heading east at 1600hrs
22/10/02 2 Ocean Sunfish were seen in St. Ives Bay SW5241
22/10/02 Between 15 and 20 dolphins were seen circling and feeding off a shoal of mackerel 3 to 4 miles off Falmouth SW8132. One dolphin leapt a few feet into the air with a fish in its mouth. The dolphins were described as having more white on their sides than the fisherman observer had seen before so these were probably White Sided dolphins.
23/10/02 2 dolphins were seen playing and leaping off castle Beach SW815318 Falmouth
23/10/02 An Ocean Sunfish attended by gulls was seen only 20yds offshore at Pendeen SW3735
24/10/02 5 Bottlenose Dolphins came close in to the beach at Maenporth SW790296 at 1200 hrs. Three were adults, one was ½ grown and the other a juvenile
24/10/02 Benty's pod of 8 or more Bottlenose Dolphins were in Sennen Bay during the morning. Photos were taken and put on the Sennen Cove Website.
24/10/02 31 Grey Seals including 2 white-coated pups were on the rocks around the lighthouse on Godrevy Island SW576435 at 1430hrs. 5 more adult seals were in the water between the island and the mainland.
24/10/02 A very bloated carcass of a Pilot Whale was brought up in a dredge about 16 miles off Looe.
25/10/02 An Ocean Sunfish was seen in St. Ives bay SW5241
25/10/02 4 Harbour Porpoises were seen from the Cape Cornwall Seawatch Hut SW352317 at about 1500hrs
26/10/02 A young Grey Seal, after its first moult was found freshly dead at Gwithian SW568419. It was probably a male measuring 105cm. There was some damage to the head and the eyes had been pecked out   It was pulled above the tide line for removal by the local council
28/10/02 Three Common dolphins were seen in Falmouth Bay off Maen Porth SW8129 at 0950hrs
31/10/02 A Basking Shark was seen in St. Ives Bay from the lookout on St. Ives Island SW521411
31/10/02 A dead Grey Seal was found on the beach at Gwithian SW586419
3/11/02 A dead dolphin, 4 to 5 ft long with a broken beak was found just west of the Red River mouth, Gwithian SW582422 and an abandoned seal pup was picked up for collection by the National Seal Sanctuary. A dead swan was found on the beach at Praa Sands. SW5728
4/11/02 A sickly seal pup picked up at Porthmeor Beach St. Ives SW515409 had convulsions, brought up many worms and died before it was collected by the seal Sanctuary.
4/11/02 A dead seal pup was found on the strandline at Perranporth SW7554 and another live abandoned seal pup was on the beach at Mawgan Porth SW8467 awaiting collection. The Gweek Seal Sanctuary is full to capacity so this one will probably be taken the the RSPCA at West Hatch.
6/11/02 5 adult Grey Seals were swimming close to shore in Godrevy Cove SW581428
14/11/02 A headless seal pup was found at Priest's Cove, Cape Cornwall SW351317. It was noted that it had ingested fragments of fishing net because some was protruding from the anus. When gently pulled it came out about 8" to 9" with more inside. Photographs were taken and arrangements made for the local council to remove.
15/11/02 Two freshly dead Rhizostoma octopus jellyfish were found today, one at Gwithian SW5741 and the other at Mawgan Porth SW8467
15/11/02 A freshly dead 35" long white-furred seal pup was found on the beach at Gorran Haven SX0040. The beach is believed to be privately owned.
15/11/02 An Electric Ray Torpedo nobiliana  was caught in a trawl and taken to The Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay  but did not survive injuries it accidentally sustained in the trawl.
17/11/02 A surfer 50metres out at Perranporth SW7657 was surprised to to see a small dolphin swimming in the surf and diving under his board.
19/11/02 The carcass of a Grey Seal was found on the beach at Perranporth SW756544
20/11/02 News today that 2 Mediterranean Tritons Charonia lampas were taken in the same net in the mouth of the Fowey Estuary at the end of September. Both are still alive in the Mevagissey Aquarium. In October a Marbled Electric Ray Torpedo marmorata was taken off the Helford River mouth, and from the same area in early November two Common Octopus Octopus vulgaris, the southern species, were caught. Another rare species caught locally recently was Eckstroms Topknot Phrynorhombus regius
23/11/02 A dead male Common Dolphin was found near Trefusis Point SW818335 in the Fal estuary
23/11/02 A Grey Seal was seen below the cliffs at Portreath SW655454 at 1130hrs.
24/11/02 2 dead seal pups were found close together on Vault Beach SX0140 south of Mevagissey
25/11/02 A 14ft long, 520lb Thresher Shark was caught in a trawl 2 miles off Looe SX254534 by the two man crew of Emma May fishing for Pollack. It was landed at east Looe harbour tied to the side of Emma May. It went on sale at the Looe market next day and was sold for £200 to a fishmonger from Oxford. The British record for a Thresher Shark caught on rod & line is 323 lbs.
1/12/02 The carcass of a small cetacean, probably a Harbour Porpoise was found at Gunwallow Fishing Cove SW654223
1/12/02 A White Beaked Dolphin carcass was found stranded at Portwrinkle SX355538.Photographs were taken but the carcass was washed out by the incoming tide before it could be recovered
2/12/02 A dead Harbour Porpoise was found at Polurrian Cove SW668187
2/12/02 A dead Grey Seal was found at Top Tieb beach Marazion SW520305
3/12/02 A small decomposing cetacean with head and tail missing was found on the beach at Marazion SW520305
3/12/02 A Beachcomber at the Penhale end of Perranporth beach SW7657 found all three species of Cuttlefish bones, a number of By-the-wind-sailors Velella velella , from ½" to 3" long, transatlantic beans Nickar Nuts and Horse-eye Beans, and a Violet Sea-snail complete with float. Janthina janthina, It's prey is the By-the-wind-sailor.
3/12/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen off Penlee Point SW473269 at 1100hrs
5/12/02 A very decomposed Loggerhead Turtle was found and samples were taken for research by scientists in Italy and America.
6/12/02 A pod of 9 Bottlenose Dolphins including two juveniles were in Plymouth Sound SX4750 all day, They were feeding and catching the bow waves of some of the incoming naval vessels.
6/12/02 A Harbour Porpoise was seen off Land's End SW341252 at about 1300hrs
12/12/02 There were at least 5 Harbour Porpoises below the lookout at Gwennap Head SW367215 during the morning. 2 of them were rather small
12/12/02 So far this month there have been 13 stranded cetaceans on Cornish beaches, seven of them on the 10th and 11th of December. The seven were all on the east side of the Lizard peninsula- 3 on Porthhallow Beach SW796232, 1 at Coverack SW783182, 1 the east side of Kennack sands SW7316 and 2 immediately south of Dolor Point SW785181 near Coverack. Four others have been recorded earlier in this list. So far four have been taken for post-mortem
16/12/02 A pod of about 50 Common dolphin was very active and heading west in Torbay SX9460 at 0930 hrs.
16/12/02 About 7 harbour Porpoises were around The Brisons SW340301 from 1130 to
1230 hrs.
19/12/02 Two dolphins, one larger than the other, were seen off Trevaunance Cove SW721516 between 1100 and 1130 hrs. Only the larger dolphin breached.
22/12/02 A pod of about 8 dolphins were seen playing in Perprean Cove SW783179 near Coverack between 1000 and 1200hrs.
22/12/02 A dead Harbour Porpoise and a dead dolphin were reported stranded on the Isles of Scilly. And Common Dolphins were found stranded at Praa Sands SW5728 and between the two quays at Flushing SW808338 Falmouth. Both the later were measured tagged and photographed.
22/12/02 3 dolphins were seen heading east off Cadgwith SW722142 at 1325hrs
25/12/02 An Orca was reported to be wedged in an offshore pipe off the coast at Grimsby. Walkers reported seeing the animal thrashing about in the morning and RSPCA officials made their way to the scene but the 20ft whale had managed to free itself.
26/12/02 A dead Triggerfish was found half way across the beach at Perranporth SW756544 It was about 30cm long and intact except for its eyes which were missing.
27/12/02 a Minke whale became semi-stranded with it's head above the surface on rock within Portland Harbour. A Coastguard team turned it's head allowing it to dislodge itself and swim free but the whale shows no signs of heading out to sea so it is thought to be in ill health. It remains in the harbour and monitoring continues.
27/12/02 There were 3 Harbour Porpoises off Gwennap Head SW367215 at 1030hrs
28/12/02 4 more dead dolphins were washed ashore at Whitsand Bay  below Tregantle Fort SX385332 bringing the Cornish strandings total for December to 31. One was found alive in the mud of the Percule River SW8334 but died shortly after the RSPCA and vet arrived. It was taken to Polwhele for post mortem.
28/12/02 2 Harbour Porpoises were seen from the Rumps SW936813 from 1500 to 1530 hrs. They appeared to be feeding with Gulls and Guillemots.
29/12/02 A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins were seen off Pendeen SW383358
31/12/02  3 dolphins were seen off  Lizard Point SW694115
31/12/02 At least 2 Harbour Porpoises appeared to be feeding below dead plankton scum 300M off the cliff at Gilsons Cove SW965802 .Eventually they moved off heading North East.
31/12/02 A dead Grey Seal was found on the beach at Portwrinkle SX356538
31/12/02 8 Bottlenose Dolphins were in the bay off The Minack Theatre SW387219 from 1000 to 1400hrs.
 
 

Cornish Marine Life Records (Ray Dennis) 2003

Vince Smith's One-List/Cornish Wildlife
Seaquest SW (Cornwall Wildlife Trust web pages)

  BMLSS Pages:
 
 
 

Cetaceans (Whales & Dolphins)
Pinnipeds (Seals)
Elasmobranchs (Sharks & Rays) (including Basking Sharks)
Sunfish
Jellyfish
Cephalopods (Octopuses & Cuttlefish)
Turtles
Fishes

 
 

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